Singing
has always been a rich and meaningful part of Christian worship. However, it’s
value and usefulness diminishes somewhat if we don’t understand the words we
are singing. With that concern in mind, I’d like to occasionally teach you the
words of a hymn in this column and explain what the song’s message is all
about. In honor of Reformation Day on October 31, we’ll begin these studies
today with Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
Written
in German by Martin Luther sometime around 1529, the most commonly-known
English translation of this hymn was produced by Frederick Hedge in 1853. This
translation consists of four carefully-sequenced verses that develop one
storyline from beginning to end, so when this hymn is used for public worship,
it is important that all four verses be sung in order to get the full
development of the thought. Let us now consider the words and their meaning.
A
mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He amid the
flood of mortal ills prevailing.
A
“bulwark” is a wall built for defense against danger, so God is pictured as a
strong defense for us against an ever-increasing flood of dangers. Luther knew
more than his share of mortal ills, being a man who often dealt with stomach
problems and threats from his religious and political enemies. Yet he found God
faithful through it all!
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.
Lest
we underestimate the danger posed to us by Satan, Luther in his own words
reminds us that the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone
to devour (1 Peter 5:8).” It is very unique in hymnody for a verse to end with
such lofty words about Satan’s power, so we must quickly move to verse two to
find words of hope!
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.
By
telling us that Satan’s equal cannot be found upon the Earth, Luther has
reminded us that we must look away from ourselves to find strength to counter
Satan’s craft and power. In this phrase, we find the announcement of a Savior—a
man of God’s own choosing who has the strength to overcome Satan.
Dost
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.
“Lord
Sabaoth” is a reference to a Hebrew title for God in the Old Testament that is
usually translated “Lord of Hosts.” The title pictures God as the commander-in-chief
of the vast angelic armies of Heaven; thus, He is a terrifying figure to His
enemies since He has overwhelming might at His command.
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.
In
our time, we have become all-too-forgetful of the influence that demonic beings
can yield over our world. But Luther was under no such illusions—he was keenly
aware of what we have come to call “spiritual warfare.” Nevertheless, such an
awareness was not reason for despair in Luther’s mind because of the staggering
truth that God has willed to display His triumph over Satan through the Church!
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.
Though
Satan remains active and threatening today, his defeat was accomplished at the
Cross. As Colossians 2:15 says regarding Christ’s crucifixion, “God disarmed
the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them
in Christ.” Satan is therefore teetering on the brink of doom today, ready to
be toppled over.
That
word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the
gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth.
Luther
now clarifies for us which “word” it is that has the power to topple Satan—it
is the word of God, the Scriptures. Many “earthly powers” in Luther’s time had
hidden the Scriptures by forbidding their translation into languages that
common people could understand. But nevertheless, the Bible retained its power,
as Luther’s own life testifies. God has also equipped the Church with His own
Spirit and the gifts that the Spirit supplies us for the purpose of ministry.
Let
goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill; God’s
truth abideth still—His kingdom is forever!
Now
we come to the sobering challenge of this song—to be willing to suffer the loss
of all things with hope and good cheer, because nothing can defeat the truth of
God! Luther himself lost goods and kindred during his life; many of his
associates lost their lives. Nevertheless, as we can attest today, God’s truth
remains, and we celebrate the foretaste that it gives us of His Kingdom!
