This seems like a good time to break into a round of A Mighty Fortress is Our God, arguably the best hymn composed by Martin Luther*:
A mighty fortress is our God,*When inviting the congregation to join in singing this hymn last Sunday, I mentioned:
A sword and shield victorious
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight
On earth he has no equal.
No strength of ours can match his might
We would be lost, rejected
But now a Champion comes to fight
Whom God Himself elected.
You ask who this may be?
The Lord of hosts is He!
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
God’s only Son adored,
He holds the field victorious.
Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threat’ning to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpow’r us.
Let this world’s tyrant rage
In battle we’ll engage.
His might is doomed to fail
God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
God’s Wod forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes who fear it;
For God Himself fights by our sid
With weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house,
Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day,
The Kingdom’s ours forever!
It reminds Christians that every day, we are engaged in spiritual warfare, but that in Jesus Christ, God can give us the victory; that our futures depend only on God.
2 comments:
Definitely one of the great hymns of the church. We don't get to hear those songs much anymore.
Come to Saint Matthew sometime, man. We get to sing it several times a year.
I hope that you and your family are doing well, Rick. You have often been in my prayers.
Blessings in Christ,
Mark
Post a Comment