| |
 Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress” is based upon that psalm. Perhaps no other song captured the spirit of the Protestant Reformation like this song. It was the song that martyrs sang as they gave their life for Christ. It was the song that refugees sang as they were forced to flee their native land. No wonder it has been called the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation.”
Luther placed great emphasis on music in evangelism, discipleship, and congregational worship. He wrote 35 hymns himself and published numerous hymn books in the German language. He said,
“Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. Whether you wish to comfort the sad, to encourage the despairing, to humble the proud, to calm the passionate, or to appease those full of hate, what more effective means than music could you find?”
The following are a few stanzas from the hymn.
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
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power 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.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabbaoth, 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 hath 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 powers,
No thanks to them, abides;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours,
Through Him who with us sides.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever.
|
|
