A Might Fortress is Our God
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
by Dr. Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Version of Frederick H. Hedge
Text From: THE METHODIST HYMNAL (Nashville, TN: The Methodist Book Concern, 1939), Hymn 67.
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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,
On little word shall fell him. -
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Though 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.