A Mighty Fortress | Martin Luther, Frederick H. Hedge | A Cappella/SATB Hymn

Lyricist: Martin Luther, Translated by Frederick H. Hedge
Composer: Martin Luther

This hymn was composed by Martin Luther (1483–1546) some time in or before 1529. Luther’s hymn has been translated many times into English, the earliest being by Miles Coverdale in Goostly Psalmes and Spirituall Songes (ca. 1535). In Great Britain, the prevailing translation for many generations has been “A safe stronghold our God is still,” by Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881), first published in Fraser’s Magazine, vol. 2, no. 12 (1831).  In the United States however, the predominant translation is by Frederick H. Hedge (1805–1890), “A mighty fortress is our God,” first printed in Hymns for the Church of Christ (1853).
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~Lyrics~
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 pow’r 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 Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

3. And tho’ this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro’ 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 pow’rs
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thro’ 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.
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