Luther wrote six hymns to be sung as part of his instruction in the catechism, which was his simple but powerful explanation of the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.

When he preached on the Lord's Prayer, for example, the congregation also sang the hymn he wrote that paraphrased and expanded each of the prayer's petitions. Luther's explanation of the final "amen" echoed his instruction from the Small Catechism about what the believer should do after saying a final evening prayer ("Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer"):

Amen! that is, let this come true!
Strengthen our faith ever anew,
That we may never be in doubt
Of that we here have prayed about.
In thy name, trusting in thy word,
We blithely say Amen, O Lord.

The hymn for the Apostles' Creed features a memorable versification of the second part concerning Christ and his work:

He was made our elder brotherThat the lost might find salvation;Slain on the cross by wicked menAnd raised ...

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