A mighty Fortress is our God

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1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
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Nancy Southerland

Greeneville, TN, United States

I am studying the church in Philadelphia and this hymn came to my mind. Praise God for these words. May God be magnified.


Randy Clifton

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States

I love this hymn. It is real, and full of truth. The melody helps make it a powerful song of faith. May this hymn be sung as long as the world stands.


Steve Miller

Detroit, Michigan, United States

@Martin 8/20/2017 - Did you notice that Jason replied that the answer to your question was posted on a web site on the very date you posted your question? Looks like you should read the article.

I read the article and it says, as do others, that the one little word at the end of stanza 3 is "Liar" from a quote of Luther's own words.

I think "Liar" is one example of one little word that can resist the Prince of Darkness in submission to God:

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

----

"I have become increasingly impressed with the truth of the priesthood of each believer. ... I want the Word of God to dwell in the hearts of believers by means of song. ... I have become so convinced about the value of singing in the Christian ministry, that now I would allow no one to preach or teach God's people who does not realize and practice the power of sacred songs. I believe that the Devil, the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of sacred music almost as much as before the Word of God itself." - Martin Luther quoted in '52 Hymn Stories Dramatized' by Kenneth W. Osbeck


Kay

Kenner, LA, United States

Dear Chris, Martin Luther was not burned at the stake. He died in bed after a long illness.


Marcus Anderson

Temple, Texas, United States

Promise Keepers played this as their theme song in 1997...20 years ago

I was there with most of my Christian brothers in this area......

When men filled the mall of Washington DC and cried out to God to save our country from darkness......

God is faithful.


Jason Bushell

Oxford, United Kingdom

Martin, I saw your question discussed and answered in a 20th August article on the Desiring God website.


Martin John Kersten

Minneapolis, MN, United States

What is the "One little word shall fell him" Satan?


Augusta

Lagos, Nigeria

Just lost my dad. I remember him singing this song every morning. So reassuring! I know he is resting with the Lord.... The body they may kill but God's truth abideth still...


K Winkelmann

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

I'm quite sure the gentleman died in his bed. Perhaps check your facts...or your rhetoric.


Chris Newman

Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand

By Martin Luther, a man who knew what it is to suffer for The Truth. This year is the 500th anniversary of his nailing his thesis to the door in Wittenburg criticising the Catholic Church for its corruption, lies and blasphemy. Today the vatican tries to hide all trace of the truth and they mock his statement "Here I stand" A reference to his standing on the truths of the Bible.. In Wittenburg they have a stained glass picture of him standing as though drunk with a mug of beer in his hand and him quoting "Here I stand'. Finally they burnt him at the stake as they have done to so many others. But the Truth will go on no matter what they do.

We indeed will not fear because God has willed his Truth to triumph through us.

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