I didn’t grow up in a hymnal singing church and only recently discovered hymns of the faith. I have been enthralled with their beautiful melodies and rich biblical truths.
As I learn new hymns, I will post them on the blog with the lyrics, music, and their stories. In sharing these hymns, I hope you will discover or rediscover this beautiful heritage of Christianity and that it will inspire your faith in Christ.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
Besides being a preacher, theologian, and the leader of the protestant reformation, Martin Luther was also a gifted musician. He wrote and composed the famous hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
Music had always played a significant role in Luther’s life. He was born in a little village of Germany known for its music, he grew up listening to his mother sing, was a member of a boy’s choir in his youth, and played the flute proficiently. And famously said, “next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”
Luther understood music as a divine gift to worship God and proclaim His Word. He also said, “the gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music.”
Luther wrote many hymns throughout his life, but his most famous hymn is “Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott,” – “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” He wrote it between 1527 and 1529 based on Psalm 46.
Since then, it has been translated at least seventy times in English, and there are several different versions available. The most prevalent version was done by Frederic Henry Hodge, which is below.
Full lyrics of A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
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 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 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, 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.
Lyrics and story from: Morgan, Robert. Then Sings My Soul. Nashville, Thomas Nelson. Page 14
