A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

It was a very dark time for the church. The leaders in Rome seemed to have lost their way. Young Martin, a visiting priest from Germany, was terribly shaken by what he saw and he chose to do something about it.

He identified 95 problems that he saw in the church and took his stand. He was aware that those who had tried to stand up to the church before had faced execution by the powerful leaders. Martin knew the cost and the risk.

He was called upon to defend his actions and recant his beliefs before the authorities. He stood his ground, refusing to waver. Knowing that his sentence would be death, friends “kidnapped” him before he could be arrested. He spent over a year in hiding at the Wartburg Castle. In the tower room, he wrote and prayed, translating the Bible into the common language so everyone could read it. He discovered what it was like to be a wanted man in need of the protection of his God. He also knew about Psalms 46.

Psalms 46:1-4

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake ... There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High.”

Martin Luther would write a hymn one day, expressing his emotions and experiences in trusting God for his own safety and security. That hymn, based on Psalm 46, is entitled, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It’s impact was powerful and immediate and it became known as the anthem of the Reformation. Here are the lyrics to Martin’s hymn of protection and shelter.

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD

1-A mighty fortress is our God,

A bulwark never failing;

Our shelter He, amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and pow’r 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 is His name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

3-And tho’ 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 pow’rs

No thanks to them — abideth:

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Thro’ 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.