Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#336a

336a. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

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
Doth 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:
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.

3. 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.

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 for ever.

Text Information

• First Line: A mighty fortress is our God
• Title: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
• Author: Martin Luther (1529)
• Translator: Frederick H. Hedge (1853)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.6.6.6.6.7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  Psalm 46:1
• Topic: Ordinary Time: Week 25; Reformation Day
• Notes: Text by German reformer Martin Luther, from Joseph Klug’s Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert (1529), tr. by Unitarian pastor Frederick H. Hedge, from Hymns for the Church of Christ (1853).

Tune Information

• Name: EIN FESTE BURG
• Composer: Martin Luther (1529)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.6.6.6.6.7
• Incipit: 11156 71765
• Key: C Major
• Source: arr. The Evangelical Hymnal, 1880
• Notes: Tune Ein feste Burg, alt., by German reformer Martin Luther, from Joseph Klug’s Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert (1529), arr. The Evangelical Hymnal (1880), alt.