One of the most translated hymns in the history of the Church

Title: A Mighty Fortress
Composer: Martin Luther
Arranger: Tedd Smith

This is Luther’s most famous hymn. I chose it because I was so blessed to get to go to a Billy Graham celebration in Chicago years ago, and I'm so thankful that his son, Franklin Graham, is making a trip down Route 66 starting on Sunday, to help more people trust Jesus. I don't have money to help, but hopefully that song, arranged by the man who played the piano at Billy Graham festivals will encourage more people. From the records of 19th-century hymnologists we know that there were a few hymnals that contained “A Mighty Fortress” before 1533, but these hymnals were destroyed in the bombing of Dresden during World War II. Most scholars think Luther wrote the hymn between 1521 and 1529, with the majority of scholars settling on 1527–28. What many of us might not realize is that the Festival of the Reformation was not celebrated during Luther’s lifetime. It is unknown what prompted Luther to write the hymn. Scholars have suggested a number of events during these dark years in his life when it was written. There was the death of a man who followed Luther's teachings, a plague that broke out in Wittenberg, Luther's daughter had also died. He was struggling mentally and spiritually. There were also issues within the Roman church, and Luther felt that his family, reputation, and work for the Reformation, was all at stake. Not only is this hymn known as the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation", but also as a battle cry against the pope and Rome. Yet, when Luther likely wrote the hymn, his greatest challenge arose from other groups that had broken away from Rome. There were people who claimed to follow the Bible who wanted to revolt against the government, something Luther did not approve of. Others questioned whether pastors were necessary. They believed anyone could proclaim the Word of God. Some doubted whether infants should be baptized. The greatest and most divisive controversy among the reformers also took place during these years. It is known as the Sacramentarian Controversy, or the fight over the Lord’s Supper. Luther saw this controversy as directly related to the proclamation of the Gospel. He believed that the literal words of Jesus needed to be confessed and defended.

Lyrics:
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.

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.

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.
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,
thru 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.