A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

     This is one of my favorite Hymns. Written by Martin Luther, this song has certainly stood the test of time for relativity. During the Nazi regime, when the military came to round up the Jews for concentration camps, a small group of outraged Germans walked with them singing this hymn -- they were martyred for their refusal to leave their Jewish friends.

     There are two versions of the song (one more classic, one more modern). Pay special attention to the lyrics; oh, that we Christians today could muster such words as back then...

Lyrics:

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.

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 Sabboth, his name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

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.

That word above all earthly powers
Not 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...

Classic Version:

Modern Version: