A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther (1529); translated by Frederick Hedge (1852)
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper He, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and pow'r are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
LORD Sabaoth His name,
from age to age the same;
and He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly pow'rs
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever.
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REFLECT
What are some truths about Jesus Christ that already make Him the Victor, even though the battle still rages for a time?
HYMN BACKGROUND
Reflect a moment on the truth found in this hymn and learn more about its historical background.
MUSIC
Experience this month's hymn even more fully by playing or singing along. Download the sheet music from Hymnary.org.
BEHIND THE HYMN
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to the door of the Castle Church in Whittenburg, Germany which sparked the Protestant Reformation.Â
These theses propounded two central beliefs and biblical truths that opposed the predominant religious practices of his day.
Luther stated first that the Bible is the believer’s sole authority and second, that we must be saved by faith alone and not by our works.
These "Theses" also included several other beliefs including Luther’s conviction that singing should be congregational. Prior to this moment, the church had banned congregational singing in their services.
So strong was his belief, Martin Luther published his own hymnal which featured only 8 hymns. Four of these hymns were his own, including “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
- Kristen Iaffaldano, Editor
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