A Mighty Fortress

“A Mighty Fortress” was written by Martin Luther, the man whom God used to lead the Protestant Reformation. He wrote the hymn somewhere between 1527 and 1529, approximately a decade after he nailed the 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenburg.

“A Mighty Fortress” is a paraphrase of Psalm 46, which begins, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The word “bulwark” in the first line is an old word for a structure of protection and support – the “refuge and strength” described in the Psalm. Luther modulates the hymn into a New Testament setting and describes the true battle we’re fighting. The powers of evil and the devil are at work against us, but the name of Christ is power enough to defeat them authoritatively and finally.

Martin Luther wrote many hymns to teach people biblical doctrine in a way that was memorable and comprehensible. His well known love for music was only eclipsed by his love for God’s Word.

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A Mighty Fortress

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.
You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He,
The Lord of Hosts 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 pow’rs, 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.

Text: Martin Luther, 1529
Translated by Frederic H. Hedge, 1853
Tune: Martin Luther