...a Mighty Fortress...

“1 God is our refuge and strength,     a very present help in trouble. 

2  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,     though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 

3  though its waters roar and foam,     though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah 

4  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,     the holy habitation of the Most High. 

5  God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;     God will help it when the morning dawns. 

6  The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;     he utters his voice, the earth melts. 

7  The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 

8  Come, behold the works of the Lord;     see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 

9  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;     he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;     he burns the shields with fire. 

10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God!     I am exalted among the nations,     I am exalted in the earth.’ 

11  The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 46

Some Psalms, like the Psalm above, Psalm 46, have been the inspiration for famous Christian hymns. Martin Luther, the great Protestant Reformer, wrote the beloved Hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, between the years 1,527 and 1529.

Here are the verses to: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

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!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy win me a sinner.