A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
“Undoubtedly ‘A Mighty Fortress’ has been the most popular of Luther’s hymns for a long time, and Christians across all denominational lines have sung it.”
Undoubtedly “A Mighty Fortress” has been the most popular of Luther’s hymns for a long time, and Christians across all denominational lines have sung it. It is known as the Battle Hymn of the Reformation, although it was first published in 1529, about twelve years after Luther first posted the 95 Theses. Its theme comes from Psalm 46, which Christians have longed prayed in the face of disaster.
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Lutheran Service Book, Hymn 656
The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 262
Text: Psalm 46
Author: Martin Luther, 1529
Titled: "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott"
Composer: Martin Luther, 1529
Tune: "Ein' feste Burg"
First Published in: Klug's Gesangbuch
Town: Wittenberg, 1529
Lyrics
A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from ev’ry need
That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is,
Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
They shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none.
He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our vict’ry has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Text: Public domain