|
| |
|
"A Mighty Fortress is Our God" by Dr. Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Composite Translation from the Pennsylvania Lutheran CHURCH BOOK of 1868
Text From: THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)
MIDI File From: The Lutheran Hymnal Midi Project |
|
Luther loved music, making it an integral part of the worship service. Of the many hymns he composed the most famous is “A Mighty Fortress Is Our
God”.
It is interesting to note that "A Mighty Fortress is our God" has been called by many as “the greatest hymn of the greatest man of the greatest period of
German history.” It is also referred to as the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation.”
This hymn was sung at the funeral of American President Dwight Eisenhower at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, March 1969.
|
| 1 |
A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor's rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old evil foe,
Sworn to work us woe,
With dread craft and might
He arms himself to fight.
On Earth he has no equal. |
|
| 2 |
No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
Whom God himself elected.
Ask who this may be:
Lord of Hosts is he!
Jesus Christ our Lord,
God's only son, adored.
He holds the field victorious. |
Click above to hear the melody
The midi file is courtesy of: "copyright © 1998 Rev. Richard Jordan, used by permission". |
| 3 |
Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threat'ning to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpow'r us.
This world's prince may rage,
In fierce war engage.
He is doomed to fail;
God's judgement must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
|
| 4 |
God's word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side
With weapons of the Spirit.
If they take our house,
Goods, fame, child or spouse,
Wrench our life away,
They cannot win the day.
The Kingdom's ours forever! |
|
Notes: Hymn #229 in The Lutheran Book of Worship
Text: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1
Author: Martin Luther, 1529
Translated from "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott"
Tune: "Ein' feste Burg"
1st Published in: Klug's _Gesangbuch_
Town: Wittenberg, 1529 |
|
|
|
