A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Reformation Battle Hymn, Written and Composed by Martin Luther
Nov 10, 2008
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott), is tremendously powerful, and without doubt, Luther's greatest hymn. It is based on the Bible's Psalm 46, in particular, verse one: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
What is more significant is that the words and music were written and composed by Martin Luther himself. The hymn is known as the national hymn of Protestant Germany and "Battle Hymn" of the Reformation. It is actively used in Protestant churches worldwide.
Congregational Singing and Martin Luther
The rediscovery of congregational singing was one of the important benefits of the Protestant Reformation. Luther, who loved music and used to sing from an early age, very much encouraged congregational singing in churches. He had strong conviction about the use of sacred music.
He expressed his convictions this way: "Music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. It drives out the devil and makes people cheerful." Then he finally wrote, "I would allow no man to preach or teach God's people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song." It is no surprise that hymn singing has been very much a part of Protestant worship.
Hymn Tune
In England the version by Thomas Carlyle is in general use for the hymn tune, while in the US, the translation by Frederick H. Hedge (1805-1890), a professor at Harvard University, is used most frequently. This translation was not made until 1852, when it first appeared in a book entitled Gems of German Verse by W.H. Furness, published in 1853.
Hymn Tune Arrangements
The tune of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" has been used by numerous composers such as:
- Johann Sebastian Bach, as the source material for his Cantata BWV 80
- Felix Mendelssohn, as the theme for the fourth and final movement of his symphony No.5, which he named Reformation in honor of the Protestant Reformation started by Luther
- Giacomo Meyerbeer, in his five-act grand opera Les Huguenots (1836)
- Richard Wagner, as a "motive" in his Kaisermarsch (Emperor's March), which was composed to commemorate the return of Kaiser Wilhelm I from the Franco-Prussian War in 1871.
- John Zdechlik, as Psalm 46, for his band
- Bradley Joseph arranged an instrumental version on his album, Hymns and Spiritual Songs in 2007
Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony, Germany. Educated at the University of Erfurt, he later became an Augustinian monk, teaching philosophy and theology at the University of Wittenberg.
It was on October 31, 1517, that the famous event took place, when Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of Wittenberg's Cathedral in Germany. This day has been dubbed the "4th of July of Protestantism." It criticized various practices and teaching of the Roman church. In 1520, Martin Luther was excommunicated after three years of stormy disputes with the Pope and church leaders.
The first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer at Wittenberg who died in 1546.
First Stanza of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
"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."
Words and Music:
Sources:
Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories. Michigan: Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1985
Marilyn Kay Stulken, Hymnal Companion to the Lutheran Book of Worship. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1981
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