Luther Called Him “Mighty”

Tom Barnard

 

“He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

Psalm 91:2

 

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.

Martin Luther

 

Roman Catholics call it “All Saints Day”—November 1. It was instituted by Pope Gregory III, when he consecrated a chapel to all the martyrs, in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The evening before the feast of celebration, October 31, is commonly celebrated as “All Hallows’ Eve” or Halloween. On the Eve of All Saints Day in 1517, an Augustinian monk and parish priest named Martin Luther nailed a list of 95 theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This set off a revival of the reading and teaching of the scriptures in Roman Catholic Germany and beyond. The Protestant Reformation was born.

 

Among the many hymns Luther wrote, “A Mighty Fortress” is one of his best known. The words he used to describe God—Mighty Fortress, Bulwark, Helper—and the words he used to describe Jesus—Man of God’s own choosing—have been sung each year on “Reformation Sunday” around the world, in multiple languages.

 

The Psalmist said, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust. When your congregation next sings Luther’s great hymn, be reminded that God still is mighty, a bulwark never failing! Hallelujah!

 

Father God, let these words sing in my heart and soul today, and accept my worship and praise as I think about the many ways you are my refuge—a place that is safely out of harm’s way. Amen.