Voices United ‎#262

262. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper sure amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing:
for still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
power and malice great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth he has no equal.

2 Did we in our 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
the 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 Christ, who with us sideth:
let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
God's kingdom is forever.

Text Information

• First Line: A mighty fortress is our God
• Title: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
• German Title: Ein' feste Burg
• Author: Martin Luther (1529)
• Translator: Frederick H. Hedge (1853)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 6 6 6 6 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: God: Nature of God; Assurance; Change; Christian Year: Reformation Day; Confidence; Conflict and Struggle; Courage; Empowerment; Evil; Faith; Funerals and Memorial Services; God: Creator; God: Guardian/Help; God: Images; God: Kingdom, Majesty, Realm; God: Nature; God: Power/Might; God: Presence; God: Protection; God: Reign; God: Sovereignty; God: Strength and Refuge; God: Truth; Heritage; Holy Spirit: Gifts; Jesus Christ: name; Jesus Christ: Strength and Refuge; Joy; Kingdom of God; Pilgrimage and Conflict; Praise; Processionals (Opening of Worship); Providence; Psalter/Psalm Paraphrases; Risk; Satan/Demonic Forces/Devil; Security; Sin; Struggle and Conflict; Trust; Truth; Victory; Word of God; Worship; Proper 6: Year A; Proper 16: Year A; Lent 1: Year B; Lent 5: Year B; Proper 16: Year B; Proper 17: Year B; Proper 26: Year B; Epiphany 3: Year C; Epiphany 4: Year C; Lent 1: Year C; Proper 16: Year C; Proper 20: Year C; Proper 24: Year C; Reign of Christ: Year C; Tuesday in Holy Week: Year ABC

Tune Information

• Name: EIN' FESTE BURG
• Composer (melody): Martin Luther (1529)
• Composer (descant): Scott Withrow
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 6 6 6 6 7
• Key: C Major
• Source: The New Hymnal for American Youth, 1930 (harm.)
• Copyright: Descant copyright © 1980 G.I.A. Publications, Inc.