He was the pastor in Unna, Germany, when an awful plague hit the town (1597-1598). He watched and often participated in the burial of friends and parishioners each day. It was during this difficult time that he wrote this hymn. He looked forward to a day when disease and death would be past (Google).
Now in this corona virus time, maybe we need Philipp Nicolai's perspective. The hope for better time, it will lift us from despair when everything looks dark. About 300 dead in my country, not much, but one dead is already too much.
Enjoy the sound of Organteq!
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