August D. Rische

Summury:
August Rische was a 19th-century hymn writer whose works appeared in multiple languages including English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Swahili, Cheyenne, and Arabic. He is known for texts such as For God so loved us, he sent the Savior, God loves me dearly, and Gott ist die Liebe, lässt mich erlösen.

August (Dietrich) Rische (1819–1906) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and hymn writer active in the 19th century. Known for his pietist orientation, he composed and compiled religious songs that became enduring parts of Protestant worship, particularly the hymn “Gott ist die Liebe.”

Key facts

• Full name: Dietrich August Rische

• Born: February 5, 1819 – Minden, Westphalia, Germany

• Died: November 15, 1906 – Ludwigslust, Germany

• Occupation: Lutheran pastor, theologian, hymn writer, composer

• Notable hymn: “Gott ist die Liebe” (“God Loves Me Dearly”)

Life and Ministry

Rische served as a Lutheran pastor in Gütersloh and was associated with the pietist revival within 19th-century German Protestantism. He was the son-in-law and biographer of the influential preacher Johann Heinrich Volkening, whose ministry emphasized personal piety and mission work. Rische’s own writings and compositions reflected these same devotional and evangelistic priorities.

Hymnody and Writings

His best-known contribution, the hymn “Gott ist die Liebe,” became a cornerstone of German and international hymnody, translated into numerous languages including English (“God Loves Me Dearly”) and Swahili (“Mungu ni pendo”). Rische also published collections such as Das geistliche Volkslied, a compendium of sacred songs for private and missionary use, often arranged for four-part harmony.

Rische’s hymns, marked by warmth and theological simplicity, remain in modern Protestant hymnals worldwide. Through his music and pastoral work, he helped shape the devotional life of German pietism and extend its influence far beyond Germany, continuing to inspire Christian congregations across cultures today.