1 A mighty fortress is our Lord,
A sure defense to save us!
He frees us with His trusty sword
When trouble would enslave us.
The foe of all mankind
Great evil has designed;
His cruel weapons still
Are force and cunning skill;
On earth is not his equal.
2 With might of ours we cannot win,
Soon were our loss effected;
But with us in the battle's din
Is One whom God elected.
Ask ye, Who may this be?
The Lord of hosts is He;
Christ Jesus is His name,
True God from heav'n He came
In ev'ry strife to conquer.
3 Tho' devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
They shall not overpow'r us.
The prince of hell may still
Scowl fiercely as he will,
No harm to us is done,
He's judged, the fight is won;
A single word o'erthrows him.
4 The Word of God shall stand secure;
They cannot work their pleasure.
The Spirit, with His gifts so pure,
We have in fullest measure.
What tho' they take this life,
Goods, honor, child and wife,
Their hatred still is vain,
They have no lasting gain;
We still possess the kingdom.
Source: American Lutheran Hymnal #487
Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody.
i. Hymn Books.
1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >
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