CHRISTIAN HYMNS
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God By Unknown Choir
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God By Unknown Choir
Lyricist: Martin Luther
Lyrics Date: 1529/1528
Translator: Frederick H. Hedge
Key: C
Theme: God: His Faithfulness; Comfort, Victory in Conflict
Composer: Martin Luther
Music Date: 1529/1528
Tune Name: EIN' FESTE BURG
Meter: 8.7.8.7.6.6.6.7.
Scripture: Psalms 46:1
The one hymn that most symbolizes the Protestant Reformation is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." In it, Martin Luther proclaims his confidence in God and rallies all Christians to war against evil. Basing his words on Psalm 46, he victoriously states "We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us." Those persecuted and martyred for their convictions during the Reformation sang these words.
Luther understood the power of evil: After he posted his ninety-five theses on the door of Wittenberg's Castle in 1517, he faced years of trials and persecution, he was excommunicated from the Roman church, and he continually faced threats against his life and his freedom. Other reformers had been persecuted and burned at the stake.
But he also knew "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in danger" (Psalm 46:1) and so he wrote "A Mighty Fortress is our God," proclaiming boldly that "the prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him . . . one little word shall fell him."
Since he wrote it in 1529, Luther's hymn has been translated into nearly every language. There are said to be over eighty English translations alone to this hymn, but the version most used in the United States is the translation by Frederic Henry Hedge in 1852.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God By Unknown Choir
Lyricist: Martin Luther
Lyrics Date: 1529/1528
Translator: Frederick H. Hedge
Key: C
Theme: God: His Faithfulness; Comfort, Victory in Conflict
Composer: Martin Luther
Music Date: 1529/1528
Tune Name: EIN' FESTE BURG
Meter: 8.7.8.7.6.6.6.7.
Scripture: Psalms 46:1
The one hymn that most symbolizes the Protestant Reformation is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." In it, Martin Luther proclaims his confidence in God and rallies all Christians to war against evil. Basing his words on Psalm 46, he victoriously states "We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us." Those persecuted and martyred for their convictions during the Reformation sang these words.
Luther understood the power of evil: After he posted his ninety-five theses on the door of Wittenberg's Castle in 1517, he faced years of trials and persecution, he was excommunicated from the Roman church, and he continually faced threats against his life and his freedom. Other reformers had been persecuted and burned at the stake.
But he also knew "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in danger" (Psalm 46:1) and so he wrote "A Mighty Fortress is our God," proclaiming boldly that "the prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him . . . one little word shall fell him."
Since he wrote it in 1529, Luther's hymn has been translated into nearly every language. There are said to be over eighty English translations alone to this hymn, but the version most used in the United States is the translation by Frederic Henry Hedge in 1852.
- Next entry in the series 'Christian Hymns': How Great Thou Art By Lois Cunningham
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