A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 504)
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a sword and shield victorious;
he breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
and wins salvation glorious.
The old evil foe, sworn to work us woe,
with dread craft and might
he arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
2 No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
whom God himself elected.
Ask who this may be: Lord of hosts is he!
Christ Jesus our Lord,
God’s only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.
3 Though hordes of devils fill the land
all threat’ning to devour us,
we tremble not, unmoved we stand;
they cannot overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may rage, in fierce war engage.
He is doomed to fail
God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
4 God’s Word forever shall abide,
no thanks to foes, who fear it;
for God himself fights by our side
with weapons of the Spirit.
If they take our house, goods, fame, child, or spouse,
wrench our life away,
they cannot win the day.
The kingdom’s ours forever!
Text and Music: Martin Luther; Public Domain
Devotion
Singing “A Mighty Fortress” with brass and organ on Reformation always brings me joy. Martin Luther’s Reformation hymn sets the stage of life’s battle when he speaks about the craft and dreadful might of our satanic foe who has sworn to undo us. Verse 2 then reminds us that if we rely on our own strength, we would lose the battle. But as is, we can be confident that we have the right man on our side, Christ Jesus, and he must win the battle.
Prayer
Christ Jesus, when evil and sin overwhelm our lives, threatening to do us in, help us to rely on you, the Prince of Peace. Give us comfort and joy knowing you have defeated sin, death, and the devil. Amen.