A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

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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 doth 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. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabbaoth, 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 hath 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, thru 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.

Words by: Martin Luther
Trans. by Frederick H. Hedge
Music by: Martin Luther
Harmony from The New Hymnal for American Youth
Video so you can sing along to A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Devotional for the hymn A mighty fortress is our God: Our Unshakable Refuge

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1–3, 7 (ESV)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling... The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing...”

In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, and spiritual battles, Martin Luther’s timeless hymn reminds us of an unchanging truth: God is our refuge and strength. He is not a fragile shelter or a temporary escape, but a mighty fortress—strong, immovable, and eternal.

When enemies rise and the storms rage, we are not left defenseless. The hymn declares that though “the prince of darkness grim” may threaten, we stand secure because “one little word shall fell him.” That word is Christ—the living Word—our victorious Savior who has already defeated sin, death, and the devil.

Let this hymn be a call to rest in God’s power, to lean not on our own strength, but to find courage and peace in the One who fights for us. No matter what you face today, you are not alone. You are hidden in the fortress of your God.

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Prayer:

Lord, thank You for being our mighty fortress. Help us to trust You more deeply, to rest in Your protection, and to remember that victory belongs to You. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Story of the hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God

(Original German: "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott")
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is widely regarded as the greatest hymn of the Protestant Reformation and the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation." It was written by Martin Luther (1483–1546), the German monk, theologian, and reformer who sparked the Protestant movement in 1517.

1. Date and Context of Composition

Likely written in 1527–1529, during a period of intense personal and political turmoil. Exact date is uncertain, but most scholars place it around 1528. Two major crises shaped the hymn: The Plague in Wittenberg (1527): Luther and his family stayed in the city to care for the sick while others fled. His wife Katharina nearly died. The Diet of Speyer (1529): The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V reversed earlier religious tolerances, threatening Protestant princes and pastors with persecution.

2. Biblical Foundation: Psalm 46

Luther based the hymn directly on Psalm 46 (especially verses 1–3, 7, 11): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed... The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (KJV) Luther paraphrased and expanded this psalm into a powerful declaration of trust in God amid chaos.

3. Luther’s Original German Text (1529)

Luther wrote four stanzas in bar form (a medieval poetic-musical structure). Here is the first stanza (in Luther’s original German and a literal English translation):

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, 
Ein gute Wehr und Waffen. 
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not, 
Die uns jetzt hat betroffen.


A mighty fortress is our God, 
A good defense and weapon. 
He helps us free from every need 
That has now overtaken us.

The hymn continues to describe:
The devil as the ancient foe ("der alte böse Feind"). Human weakness vs. God’s strength. Christ as the ultimate victor ("Ein Wörtlein kann ihn fällen" — "One little word can fell him").

4. The Music: Composed by Luther Himself

Luther wrote both words and melody. The tune is bold, rhythmic, and march-like — designed to be sung unison by congregations. It uses a major key and strong, declarative phrases, giving a sense of defiance and triumph. First printed in 1529 in Joseph Klug’s hymnbook in Wittenberg.

5. Historical Use and Impact

Reformation Worship: Became the unofficial anthem of Lutheran congregations.
Diet of Augsburg (1530): Protestant princes reportedly sang it as they entered the city.
Schmalkaldic War (1546–47): Sung by Lutheran troops before battle.
Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648): Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden had his army sing it before the Battle of Lützen (1632).

6. English Translation by Frederick H. Hedge (1852)

The most famous English version begins:

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.

This translation (with minor edits) is still used in most hymnals today.

7. Theological Core Message

Luther contrasts: The devil’s temporary power vs. God’s eternal sovereignty. Human effort (which fails) vs. Christ’s victory (already won).
The climactic line — "one little word shall fell him" — refers to the name of Jesus or the Word of God, which defeats Satan.

8. Legacy

Translated into over 75 languages. Used in worship by Lutherans, Reformed, Anglicans, Methodists, and Baptists. Inspired musical works by:
Johann Sebastian Bach (Cantata BWV 80)
Felix Mendelssohn (Symphony No. 5, "Reformation")
Giacomo Meyerbeer and Richard Wagner
Played at Winston Churchill’s funeral (1965) and Billy Graham crusades.