Luther’s Works, Volume 10
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
On October 22, 1512, the faculty of the still newborn University of Wittenberg welcomed an ominous new colleague to its body. Martin Luther was taken under the wing of none other than the vicar general of the German Augustinian order: Johann von Staupitz. Luther quickly advanced in honor and prestige. Once settled down and committed to university life, Luther took up his new lifework with enthusiasm. Before a year had passed, the Chronicle of Johann Oldecorp recorded: "At this same time [1513] M. Luther began to lecture on the Psalter of David. He was very busy with this and had many hearers." The lectures were indeed given in the traditional fashion, but there was something new in them nevertheless, something that was talked about then and that drew "many hearers." Even the modern reader of Luther's notes for these lectures can hardly escape noticing that the message, compared with that of other contemporary lectures, reveals greater individual involvement in the message being expounded. The prime emphasis is constantly on Christ as the center of the whole Psalter. The lecturer is dealing not with idle academic definitions but with the issues of life and salvation that affect the speaker and hearer directly and personally. This is where Luther's theology begins, and so these First Lectures on the Psalms are often called initia theologiae Lutheri.
Top Highlights
“Iniquities forgiven and sins covered can be said to differ in this way, that iniquity is that by which a man is turned toward the creature because he prefers its love to the love of God, and that is evil; sin, however, is that by which a man is turned away from God, which is to transgress the commandment and law of God.” (Volume 10, Page 146)
“I confess frankly that even to the present day I do not understand many psalms and, unless the Lord enlightens me through your help, as I trust He will, I shall not be able to interpret them.” (Volume 10, Page 8)
“Therefore to be hidden is nothing else than not running with those who live carnally, something the carnal people certainly see plainly.” (Volume 10, Page 125)
“First, for one who keeps silent (that is, who does not confess), his bones quickly grow old, that is, his powers in which he formerly stood in good things are always reduced more and more by sins. For sin which is not washed away by repentance soon draws to another sin by its own weight, as is clear in the case of David.” (Volume 10, Page 147)
“The lectures seem to have begun about the middle of August 1513 and may have continued until the fall of 1515.” (Volume 10, Page x)
- Title: Luther’s Works, Volume 10
- Authors: Helmut T. Lehmann, Martin Luther, Hilton C. Oswald, Jaroslav Pelikan
- Edition: electronic ed.
- Series: Luther’s Works
- Publisher: Concordia Publishing House
- Print Publication Date: 1974
- Logos Release Date: 2001
- Era: era:reformation
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible › Criticism, interpretation, etc.--History; Lutheran Church; Theology › Early works to 1800
- Resource ID: LLS:42.110.110
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-10-07T22:15:52Z