Hymn & History
2 Samuel 22:2
”A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
By Martin Luther, 1529
Posted on Youtube by Christian Sermons and Audio Books https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XUYZoguhEQ
Directions for
Hymnal Journaling
Many of the great hymns of the church express the purpose of the CBJ mission and website – having a walk that is …”Nearer My God To Thee”.
Reflect on the weekly hymns as you color/doodle and sing along. Use a hymnal of your own, order one at the bottom of this page, or print out sheet music from the internet.
Purpose of
Hymnal Journaling
1. Watch Video
2. Read History
3. Color/Doodle Hymn
4. Share photo in comments OR
5. Share photo in Facebook Group
Member Submitted Pages for This Hymn
Creative-Bible-Journaling.com has collected the following information and lyrics from various websites, for the sole purpose of sharing with you, for educational purposes only. No money is exchanged for this information.
Hymn Lyrics
THE LYRICS ~ “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
does 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.
You 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.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has 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
no 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!
The Author of the Hymn
THE AUTHOR ~ Martin Luther
Born November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany
Died February 18, 1546 in Eisleben, Germany
Luther was a German professor of theology, composer, priest, monk, & a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1507. He came to reject several teachings & practices of the Roman Catholic Church; in particular, he disputed the view on indulgences. He proposed an academic discussion of the practice & efficacy of indulgences in his Ninety-Five Theses of 1517. His refusal to renounce all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 & Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the pope & condemnation as an outlaw by the Holy Roman Emperor.
Luther taught that salvation & consequently, eternal life are not earned by good deeds but are received only as the free gift of God’s grace through the believer’s faith in Jesus Christ as redeemer from sin.
In two of his later works, Luther expressed antagonistic, violent views towards Jews & called for the burnings of their synagogues & their deaths. His rhetoric was not directed at Jews alone, but also towards Roman Catholics, Anabaptists, & nontrinitarian Christians.
Luther died in 1546 with Pope Leo X’s excommunication still effective.
History of Hymn
THE HISTORY ~ “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”
“A Mighty Fortress” is one of the best loved hymns of the Lutheran tradition & among Protestants more generally. It has been called the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation “ for the effect it had in increasing the support for the Reformers’ cause.
Alternatively, John M. Merriman writes that the hymn “began as a martial song to inspire soldiers against the Ottoman forces” during the Ottoman wars in Europe.
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