Test06 a

Test06 a
Title	A mighty fortress is our God`
Author	Author:Martin_Luther, 1483-1546
Composer	Composer:Martin_Luther, 1483-1546
Published
Orig. Key	C Major
Orig. Language
Meter	8 7 8 7 66 66 7
Melody
1st Line	A mighty fortress is our God
Scriptures	Psalm 46

A mighty fortress is our God

• Hymns:Amazing grace how sweet the sound

Summary

Scripture References

• reference(s): Ps.46
• stanza(s) 3: 1 Pet. 5:8

Notes

See PHH 468 for a brief history of the original text and tune. This English translation of Luther's German text is by Frederick H. Hedge (b. Cambridge, MA, 1805; d. Cambridge, 1890); it was published in Furness's Gems of German Verse (1852) and in Hymns for the Church of Christ (1853), a hymnal edited by Hedge and Frederick Huntington. Hedge's translation, which closely follows Luther's words, is the one usually found in North American hymnals.

Hedge was a precocious child who read Latin and Greek classics at an early age. Between the ages of twelve and sixteen he was in Germany, where he studied German literature. Educated at Harvard University and Divinity School, he became a Unitarian minister in 1829. Hedge served congregations in Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and taught church history at Harvard Divinity School (1857-1876) and German literature at Harvard University (1872-1884). A respected transcendentalist and a famous German scholar, he published the monumental Prose Writers of Germany 0848). His original hymns and translations were published in Hymns for the Church of Christ (1853), which he compiled with F. Dan Huntington. He is remembered primarily for his translation of Luther's famous hymn.

Stanzas 1-3 of the original text were inspired by Psalm 46; stanza 4 arose directly from Luther's persecution experience. The text expresses trust in God's protection amidst the battle that Christians wage against the devil. "Earthly powers" in stanza four undoubtedly referred to the Roman Catholic authorities of Luther's day, but modern Christians may identity other "powers" that oppose the rule of Christ. The closing line of the text provides much comfort: "God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!"

Liturgical Use

See PHH 468.

Lyrics

1. A mighty fortress is our God,
   A sword and shield victorious,
   Who breaks the cruel oppressor's rod
   And wins salvation glorious.
   The old satanic foe
   Has sworn to work us wor!
   With craft and dreadful might
   He arms himself to fight.
   On earth he has no equal.
   
2. No strength of ours can match his might!
   We would be lost, rejected.
   But now a champion comes to fight,
   Whom God alone elected.
   You ask who this may be?
   The Lord of hosts is he!
   Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
   God's only Son, adored.
   He holds the field victorious.
   
3. Though hordes of devils fill the land
   All threatn'ing to devour us,
   We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
   They cannot overpow'r us.
   Let this world's tyrant rage;
   In battle we'll engage
   His might is doomed to fail;
   God's judgement must prevail!
   One little word subdues him.
   
4. God's Word forever shall abide,
   No thanks to foes, who fear it;
   For God, our Lord, fights by our side
   With weapons of the Spirit.
   Were they to take our house,
   Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
   Though life be wrenched away,
   They cannot win the day.
   The Kingdom's ours forever!
   

Hymnal Instances

• Hymnals:African American Heritage Hymnal #124
• Hymnals:Baptist Hymnal 1991 #8
• Hymnals:Baptist Hymnal 2008 #656
• Hymnals:Celebration Hymnal #151
• Hymnals:Hymnal 1982: according to the use of the Episcopal Church #687
• Hymnals:Hymnal 1982: according to the use of the Episcopal Church #688
• Hymnals:Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #250
• Hymnals:Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #251
• Hymnals:Evangelical Lutheran Worship #503
• Hymnals:Evangelical Lutheran Worship #504
• Hymnals:Evangelical Lutheran Worship #505
• Hymnals:Gather Comprehensive #607
• Hymnals:Gather Comprehensive, Second Edition #594
• Hymnals:Hymns of Faith #11
• Hymnals:Lutheran Service Book #656
• Hymnals:Lutheran Service Book #657
• Hymnals:Presbyterian Hymnal #260
• Hymnals:Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #469
• Hymnals:Revival Hymns and Choruses #46
• Hymnals:Rejoice in the Lord #179