The Story of The Hymn
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in
whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2
1. 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 power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through 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!
Psalter Hymnal, (Gray), 1987
Martin Luther was bom on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony, Germany. He was educated at the University of Erfurt, later becoming an Augustinian monk, teaching philosophy and theology at the University of Wittenberg. On October 31, 1517, sometimes called the ‘‘4th of July of Protestantism, ” Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany. These theses condemned various practices and teachings of the Roman church. After several years of
stormy disputes with the Pope and other church leaders, Martin Luther was finally excommunicated from the fellowship of the Roman Catholic church in 1520.
One of the important benefits of the Reformation Movement was the rediscovery of congregational singing. Luther had strong convictions about the use and power of sacred music. He expressed his convictions in this way, “If any man despises music, as all fanatics do, for him I have Thus it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one forgets all wrath, impurity and other devices. ” Again, “The Devil, the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of
music almost as much as before the Word of God. ” In another place, “I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of songs.” Finally, Luther wrote, “I would allow no man to preach or teach God’s people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song.”
The single most powerful hymn of the Protestant Reformation Movement was Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” based on Psalm 46. This hymn became the battle cry of the people, a great source of strength and inspiration even for those who were martyred for their convictions. This hymn has been translated into practically every known language and is regarded as one of the noblest and most classic examples of Christian hymnody. It is said there are no less than sixty translations of this text in
English alone. In England the version by Thomas Carlyle is in general use, while in this country the translation by Frederick H. Hedge, a professor at Harvard University, is used most frequently. This translation was not made until 1852 and first appeared in a book entitled Gems of German
Verse by W. H. Furness, published in 1853.
The first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly
inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer at Wittenberg, and may still
be read with appreciation by travellers to that historic spot.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Author -Martin Luther, 1483-1546
English Translation -Frederick H. Hedge. 1805 iS°0
Composer -Martin Luther. 1483-1546
Tune Name-' ‘Em’ Feste Burg"
Meter-81 .87.66. 667
Scripture Reference- Psalm 46
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress,
