270. A mighty fortress is our God

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
Our help is He in all our need,
Our stay, whate'er doth happen.
The old malignant 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 With might of ours naught can be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye who this may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth is His name,
From age to age the same,--
He holds the field forever.

3 And were the world with devils filled,
All eager to devour us,
Our souls to fear should little yield,
They cannot overpower 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 can fell him.

4 The Word they still shall let abide,
Nor thanks be due them for it;
The Lord of hosts is by our side,
Grants us His gifts and Spirit;
And though they take our life,
Goods, honor--children, wife,
Yet, when their worst is done,
They still have nothing won:
The Kingdom ours remaineth.

Text Information
First Line: A mighty fortress is our God
Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1898
Topic: TheChurch Year: Festival of the Reformation; Christ: Defender and Helper; Conflict (4 more...)
Notes: Luther, 1529. Tr. Comp.; Norwegian title: Vor Gud han er saa fast en Borg
Tune Information
Name: A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
Composer: Martin Luther (1529)
Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7.
Key: D Major
Notes: Norwegian tune name: Vor Gud han er saa fast en Borg. Alternate tune: A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD, source: According to Original Form.



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