Hymn a mighty fortress is our god

Want to switch to the interactive music player?

Lyrics

1. A mighty fortress is our God,

   A tower of strength ne’er failing.

   A helper mighty is our God,

   O’er ills of life prevailing.

   He overcometh all.

   He saveth from the Fall.

   His might and pow’r are great.

   He all things did create.

   And he shall reign for evermore.

Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546, adapted

Music: Attr. to Martin Luther

To contact Lindsay Terry, email .

The strains of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" could be heard drifting through the portals of the gigantic Washington National Cathedral on Sept. 14, 2001. It was part of the National Service of Prayer and Remembrance, just three days following the 9/11 attack on our nation. Below is the account of how that memorable song was written.

On a cold, windy night in Germany in the early 1500s, a young peasant, Martin Luther, came very near being hit by a bolt of lighting during a thunderstorm. Following his close call with death, he changed his course of study from law to theology. His education continued until he had earned a doctorate in philosophy.

Through his studies, he discovered that true Christianity did not depend upon what one knows about God, but upon a right personal relationship with God. God's forgiveness through the sacrificial death of Christ became all important to Luther.

One day he thought, "If only I could make the pilgrimage to Rome..."

That dream was fulfilled, and while crawling up a staircase called Scala Sancta on his knees, he remembered the verse of scripture, "The just shall live by faith." He sprang to his feet, ran back down the stairs, and the Reformation began.

The greatest work that Luther accomplished was the translation of the New Testament into the language of the people. Then to the amazement of everyone, Luther began to write hymns and gospel songs. The people sang them with great fervor. Luther preached long and hard, becoming a forceful leader of one of the world's greatest spiritual awakenings.

Hymnbooks began to be used in the schools and homes, as well as in the churches. The Christian worship songs became a spring of spirituality in the hearts and lives of the people.

The song for which Luther will be remembered is "A Mighty Fortress is our God," written circa 1527. It exalts God to a high and lofty position in the minds and hearts of those who believe the message of the song. It is a paraphrase of Psalm: 46.

On the base of Luther's tomb is inscribed, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. It is said to be the greatest hymn of the greatest man in the greatest period in German history.

Historians declare that it has been sung by persecuted people on their way to exile, and by martyrs at their death. The song is rugged and strong, much like Luther himself. Frederick H. Hedge translated it from the German in 1853.

"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."

"God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

1. 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.

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, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

3. 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.

4. That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru 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.

Links please

Please add a link to http://www.HymnSite.com on your site if you find our resources are useful to you or your ministry.

God bless you!
HymnSite.com

GodTube Staff

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is one of the best-known hymns by the reformer, Martin Luther. This hymn inspires us to find strength in God's love and salvation amid the woes of mortality.

1 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
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power 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.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has 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 powers
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! 

Songwriters Martin Luther Published by Public Domain

The Story Behind A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Luther wrote the words and composed the melody sometime between 1527 and 1529.  It has been translated into English at least seventy times and also into many other languages.  The words are a paraphrase of Psalm 46.

"A Mighty Fortress" is one of the best-loved hymns of the Lutheran tradition and among Protestants more generally. It has been called the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation" for the effect it had in increasing the support for the Reformers' cause.   John M. Merriman writes that the hymn "began as a martial song to inspire soldiers against the Ottoman forces" during the Ottoman wars in Europe.

The earliest extant hymnal in which it appears is that of Andrew Rauscher (1531), but it is supposed to have been in Joseph Klug's Wittenberg hymnal of 1529, of which no copy exists. Its title was Der xxxvi. Psalm. Deus noster refugium et virtus.  Before that, it is supposed to have appeared in the Hans Weiss Wittenberg hymnal of 1528, also lost.  This evidence would support it being written in 1527–1529 since Luther's hymns were printed shortly after they were written.

Popular Hymn Lyrics with Story and Meaning
Day by Day and With Each Passing Moment
Jesus Loves Me
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Blessed Assurance
Nearer My God to Thee
Abide with Me
His Eye is On the Sparrow
Be Thou My Vision
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Amazing Grace

Today's Devotional

A Prayer to Gladly Listen to God - Your Daily Prayer - October 7

Today, I pray that we can all embrace God’s word gladly and seek to serve Him in all our ways.

read more

Top Artists

Top Music Videos

Who wrote A Mighty Fortress Is Our God lyrics?

What was Martin Luther's favorite hymn?

What is the theme of the poem A Mighty Fortress Is Our God?

Did Bach write A Mighty Fortress Is Our God?