The story behind ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’ is so inspiring. This popular classic hymn was written by Martin Luther in 1529 during the Protestant Reformation.
As a German monk and theologian, Luther saw many serious problems in the Roman Catholic Church. Church leaders were selling documents called indulgences that promised to forgive people’s sins in exchange for money.
They taught that good works and payments could earn salvation instead of faith in God. The church also kept the Bible in Latin, which meant common people could not read God’s word for themselves.
Luther wanted people to know they could find salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone. In 1517, he wrote a document called the “95 Theses” that pointed out the church’s mistakes and called for a change.
The Church leaders did not welcome Luther’s message. They kicked him out of the Church and declared him an outlaw. But Luther stood firm in his beliefs. He kept teaching God’s word and wrote many hymns to help spread his message.
During this difficult time, Luther wrote ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.’ The lyrics were inspired by Psalm 46, which talks about God being our shelter and strength. The hymn speaks of God’s power to protect His people against all enemies, both seen and unseen.
‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’ became known as the Battle Hymn of the Reformation because it gave courage to persecuted Protestant believers.
‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’ lyrics
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
Churches around the world still sing this hymn today. When people face hard times, these words remind them that God remains their source of strength and protection.
The hymn shows us that even when everything seems dark, we can trust God to be our mighty fortress.
WATCH: 176 Singers Perform ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’
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