A special thanks to Mr. Howard Nowlan for sending us this…
“We in the UK usually sing a slightly different version
”
(the translation of Thomas Carlyle):
A Safe Stronghold, our God is still,
A trusty shield and weapon,
He’ll help us clear through all the ill,
that hath us no o’ertaken.
the ancient prince of hell,
hath risen with purpose fell,
strong mail of craft and power,
he weareth in this hour,
on earth is not his fellow
With force of arms we nothing can, full soon we were down-ridden,
but for us fights the proper Man,
whom God Himself hath bidden,
Ask ye, who is this same?
Christ Jesus is His name
The Lord Sabaoth’s Son,
He and no other one,
shall conquer in the battle
And we this world all devils o’er,
and watching to devour us,
We lay it not to heart so sore,
not they can overpower us,
And let the prince of ill,
look grim as ere he will,
he harms us not a whit,
for why? his doom is writ,
a word will quickly slay him
God’s word, for all their craft and force,
One moment will not linger,
but spite of hell shall have its course,
’tis written by His finger,
And though they take our lives,
goods, honour, children, wife,
yet is their profit small,
these things shall vanish all,
The City of God remaineth.
“Based on the theme of Psalm 46, this has to be simply one of the most comprehensive hymns (in the sense of putting life into its proper context) that’s ever been penned.”
– Howard Nowlan
Filed under: A Mighy Fortress is our God |
The Old Adam Lives! 
Martin Luther loved using hymns (German) in part of the worship. Illiterate congregations learned the words of the hymns by heart (which helped them learn the Gospel). Luther had a gift for writing religious hymns and publishing hymnals — a gifted writer indeed.
Bless you for sharing God’s Word. I particularly enjoy the comments about Martin Luther and the Holy Sacraments.
Magdalene,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Luther, and how hymnity has helped bring the gospel to the hearts of many.
I appreciate you stopping by and sharing with us.
– Steve M.
Steve,
Thank you for the kind welcome.
Luther placed God’s Word in the hands of the people in hymns and booklets (including the Bible). Imagine, studying scriptures for the first time in your home (back in Luther’s day).
So the same happens today via web/blog!
Magdalene,
It’s hard to imagine how wondeful that would have been. We take so much for granted these days.
But, the Lord is still bringing people unto Himself, one at a time, and He uses all of us, His poor tools to get His message of love and forgiveness to the ears and hearts of those whom He chooses.
Grace and Peace to you, Magdalene!
– Steve