Adam Reusner, alsoReissner[1] orReißner (c. 1496-1575 (some claim 1572 or 1582)) inMindelheim) was aGerman mystic, hymn-writer and poet.
Reusner studied atHeidelberg University in 1518 and was a pupil ofJohannes Reuchlin, studying Hebrew and Greek under him 1521.[2] In 1523 he enrolled at theUniversity of Wittenberg, where he was studied alongside the likes ofMartin Luther,Philipp Melanchthon,Justus Jonas, and pursued a degree in theology.
From 1526 to 1528, he was the private secretary of the captainGeorg von Frundsberg to the German mercenaries in Italy. He witnessed theSack of Rome in theItalian War of 1521–1526, along with his friendJakob Ziegler.[2] He then became an independent scholar teaching theology inStrasbourg, where he was a friend and spiritualistic supporter ofKaspar Schwenckfeld.[3] In 1532-1548 he worked as a chronicler in his native Mindelheim, but he lost this position as a result of theSchmalkaldic War. He lived for a number of years inFrankfurt, working as a scholar until at least 1563, but appears to have returned to live in his native town before his death.[2] He was quoted inKorte Reis bySolomon Schweiger who was visitingJerusalem at the time.[4]
As a scholar, he wrote historical and theological works, including an "anti-papal history." He later became known as a hymn writer from about 1530. He paraphrased psalms for thePsalter of Sigmund Hemmel. His hymn "In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr" (In you, Lord, have I put my trust) is still included in the German hymnal. Its fifth stanza, "Mir hat die Welt trüglich gericht't" (The world has judged me deceitfully), appears in Bach'sSt Matthew Passion. A hymnal atWolfenbüttel.Tegliches Gesangbuch ... durch Adam Reusner (Daily Songbook ... by Adam Reusner) contains more than forty of his hymns.[1][2]
