Ludwig Helmbold, born on January 21, 1532, in Mühlhausen, Thuringia, was a prominent German poet, philosopher, and ecclesiastical minister known for his Lutheran hymns. He was the son of Stephan Helmbold, a wealthy wool manufacturer, and was educated at Leipzig and Erfurt, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1550 and Master of Arts in 1554. Helmbold's career in education began early; by the age of eighteen, he was already headmaster of a school in his hometown. However, he soon returned to Erfurt, where he served as a professor and later as Dean of the Philosophical Faculty.

In 1566, Helmbold was honored as a poeta laureatus by Emperor Maximilian II at the Reichstag in Augsburg, recognizing his contributions to poetry. His hymns, numbering over a hundred, were set to music by notable composers such as Joachim a Burck and Johannes Eccard, and some were later used by Johann Sebastian Bach in his cantatas. Among his most enduring works is the hymn "Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren," which remains part of the German Protestant hymnal.

Helmbold's life was marked by his role as a leader of the Evangelical party at Erfurt University, which led to his departure during political upheaval. He returned to Mühlhausen, where he took holy orders and was appointed a minister at the Marienkirche, eventually becoming Superintendent. Helmbold also contributed to the educational landscape by writing Latin texts for Italian vocal music intended for German schools.

Ludwig Helmbold passed away on April 8, 1598, in his birthplace, Mühlhausen. His legacy lives on through his hymns and contributions to Lutheran church music.