Crüger, Johann (Großbreesen, Guben, 1598-1662, Berlin), was organist at the Nikolaikirche, Berlin, for the forty years preceding his death. He composed the melodies for a number of well-known Protestant hymns, including some by P. Gerhardt, who was pastor at the same church. They include ‘Nun danket alle Gott’, ‘Jesus, meine Zuversicht’, ‘Jesus, meine Freude’, ‘Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele’, ‘Herzliebster Jesu’, ‘Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ’, and—by Gerhardt—‘Befiehl du deine Wege’, ‘Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen’, ‘Ich steh’ an deiner Krippe hier', and ‘Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud’.





