2003 Issue 2 - A Mighty Fortress is Our God: Hymn of Martyrs - Counsel of Chalcedon
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A Mighty Fortress s Our God H ytnn of Martyrs stlre stronghold ONr God is he) a tnfsty shield and lJ eapoll. Ottr help heYl be and set ti )i-ee )i-Olll eVel)1 ill call happen that old Illalielolfs foe) IJleall.f li deadb })Joe armed lJJith might i-OIN Hell and deepest craft as lJ1el1 11 ealth is 110t his ello1J . 'm sure you recognize this as the original o f NIighf)1 Fol1l'ess is 0111' God. l'vfartin Luther who ~ w r o t e the words once said, the Devil hates music because he cannot stand gaiety," and "Satan can smirk but he c annot laugh; he can sneer but he cannot sing." Because he beli eved in the powe r of song the great refor mer spent a lot of time compiling a hymn book for use in congregational singing. One writer has said dlat "Luther translated the Bible into German so God could speak directly to the people; and provided the hymn so that the people could answer God in t heir s ongs." Luther is credited with thirty-seven hymns, by far the most popular being, A Jo.. Jighf)1 Fol1ress. was written in 1529 at a time when Luther and his followers were going through a particularly rough patch of opposition; with the Emperor, Charles ~ seemingly determined to suppress the new movement. During those days o f struggle Luther turned often to Psalm 46 and was greatly encouraged by the words o f verse one, "God's our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Soon a song was inspired, and Luther began in fine style Witll the bold declaration - Ein feste burg ist unser Gott - A sure stronghold our God is He." It was Frederick Hedge, in his translation o f 1852, who changed this to the mor e fami liar A l'vIighty Fortress Is Our Luther's original composition became immediately popular with the common people of reformation Germany, being sung continually in the streets and chanted by the martyrs as they awaited tlleir grim fate. \'X7hat a moving sound that must have made At this point, mention must be made of the music, that rich, melodious yea, majestic tune which lifts the words and carries them along Witll all the pomp and grace of a national anthem. Considerable dispute surrounds the origin o f the music, with some attributing it to Lutller himself. Others give the honour to tlle great J.S. Bach; and it's true that Bach did use the tune as the basi s o f one o f his many chorales. 26 he COUNSEL of CHALCEDON However, Bach was not born until 1685, over a hundred and fifty years after Luther's great hymn first appeared. t seems clear dlen, that Martin Lutller rightly deserves the credit, if not for the original composition, at least for adapting it, possibly from an old German folk tune. l'\1uch more important dun the music however, is tlle message - and what a mess age this great hymn has for the people of God It turns their eyes and thoughts away from dle afflictions of dus world, and the opposition o f Satanic hosts, and fixes them upon the person f the Lord Jesus - the Lord Sabaoth as Luther so rightly refers to Him in one f the verses. A nughty fortress is our God, A bulwar k never failing Our helper He anlid the flood O f mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe, DOtll seek to work us woe His craft and power are great And, armed with cruel hate. On earth is not His equaL Did we in our own strengili confide; Our striving would be losing, Were not the right man on our side, The man of God's own choosing, Dost ask who lliat may be? Christ Jesus, it is He Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same, And He must win the batde. And though this world willi devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, \ X7e will not fear, for God hath willed His trUtll to triumph through us, The prince of darkness grim, \Ve tremble not for him His rage we can endure, For 10, his doom is sure; One litde wor d shall fell him. That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abidelli, The Spirit and tlle gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth Let goods and kindred go, Tlus mortal life also The body they may kill; God's truth abideth still: His kingdom is forever. Excerpted from Great Hj'll1l1 St0l7es by James McClelland and available at www:emeraldhouse.com.
