Luther’s Works, Volume 12
Overview
This is the initial volume in the new American Edition of Luther’s Works—56 volumes in all—in modern English—the largest and most authentic English edition available anywhere. It brings to the English reading public for the first time Dr. Martin Luther’s most important writings. Ministers, theological students, and searching laypeople now have the opportunity to study and read extensively, and thus with greater comprehension, the enlightening and moving writings of God’s own chosen Reformation instrument. The first volume (numbered Volume 12) contains Luther’s commentaries on selected psalms beloved by Christians everywhere. They are for the most part the outgrowth of sermons and classroom lectures, family devotions, and private conversations held between 1524 and 1537. Figures of speech, allusions, and references not immediately clear have been carefully explained for a fuller understanding of the text. The archaic literary forms have been removed and obscurities of earlier translations cleared up. This is an updated version of an important piece in Luther’s tomes of work seminal to theological consideration everywhere.
Top Highlights
“These are the two parts of justification. The first is grace revealed through Christ, that through Christ we have a gracious God, so that sin can no longer accuse us, but our conscience has found peace through trust in the mercy of God. The second part is the conferring of the Holy Spirit with His gifts, who enlightens us against the defilements of spirit and flesh (2 Cor. 7:1).” (Volume 12, Page 331)
“The proper subject of theology is man guilty of sin and condemned, and God the Justifier and Savior of man the sinner. Whatever is asked or discussed in theology outside this subject, is error and poison. All Scripture points to this, that God commends His kindness to us and in His Son restores to righteousness and life the nature that has fallen into sin and condemnation.” (Volume 12, Page 311)
“Because God sent Christ as Savior, He certainly does not want to be righteous in punishing according to deserts. He wants to be righteous and to be called righteous in justifying and having mercy on those who acknowledge their sins.” (Volume 12, Pages 313–314)
“‘If the Lord is my Shepherd and I am His sheep, then I am very well supplied both in body and soul. He will feed me well, protect and preserve me from misfortune, care for me, help me out of all troubles, comfort me, and strengthen me. In short, He will do for me what a good shepherd can be expected to do.’ All of these blessings, and more, are comprehended in the single little word ‘shepherd’” (Volume 12, Page 152)
“Through the Fall his will, understanding, and all natural powers were so corrupted that man was no longer whole, but was diverted by sin, lost his correct judgment before God, and thought everything perversely against the will and Law of God. He no longer had an adequate knowledge or love of God, but fled from Him and hated Him, supposing that He was not God, that is, merciful and good, but a judge and a tyrant.” (Volume 12, Pages 308–309)
- Title: Luther’s Works, Volume 12
- Authors: Martin Luther, Jaroslav Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, Helmut T. Lehmann
- Series: Luther’s Works
- Publisher: Concordia Publishing House
- Print Publication Date: 1955
- Logos Release Date: 2001
- Era: era:reformation
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Psalms › Commentaries; Bible › Criticism, interpretation, etc.--History; Lutheran Church; Theology › Early works to 1800
- Resource ID: LLS:42.110.112
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-03-06T18:12:09Z