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Reformation Day Hymn
by Scott Gilbreath ~ October 31st, 2008
On this day in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church. In honour of that important event, here is Luther’s inspiring hymn Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott played on a church organ.
My favourite translation is Thomas Carlyle’s of 1831, “A Safe Stronghold Our God Is Still”.
A safe stronghold our God is still,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He’ll help us clear from all the ill
That hath us now 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 were we 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 were 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 e’er he will,
He harms us not a whit;
For why? — his doom is writ;
A word shall 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 life,
Goods, honour, children, wife,
Yet is their profit small;
These things shall vanish all:
The City of God remaineth!
Have a joyous Reformation Day!
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October 31st, 2008 at 01:02 PM
And a happy Christ the King Sunday to you too, Scott!
I actually quite like this hymn by “the German Reformer.”