A Mighty Fortress

Luther not only taught the West to sing, he offered his own contribution to the cause. During his prolific life, he would pen over 500 lyrics and several tunes for people to sing. His theology was advanced through his music. Nearly two centuries removed, Johann Sebastian Bach would weave throughout his arrangements snippets of Luther’s tunes and lyrics. With his music, Luther would inspire us to remain steadfast here on earth. Bach would cause us to stand in awe before the glory of heaven. Without Luther, the world might not have known the genius of Bach.

Many of Luther’s works are still sung to this day. Two of the more familiar are the Christmas classic, Away In A Manger and the majestic hymn, based upon Psalm 46, A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

The latter hymn speaks to the place where we left off in the Gospel of John. Jesus has taken great care to bring comfort to his disciples. These lads, even after three years of intimate interaction, are not at all prepared for what is about to take place. Thus, Jesus assures them of the prospect of answered prayer, that there’s a place being prepared for them in heaven, and, that his presence will linger within them even in his absence. The words are both tender and intense. But suddenly, he breaks script and tells them that as his followers, the world will despise them. It seems a non sequitur. The words are jarring. A Mighty Fortress is Our God is a hymn that addresses the reality of Jesus’ words to his disciples:

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Luther traces the hate of which Jesus spoke to its original source. It is a song which gives the devil his due. It is a hymn where Luther is the author of both the lyrics and the tune. And, it was written to steel the spine of the new movement that would become known as the Reformation. Luther and his companions would sing it as they entered into the Diet of Worms, in 1521, where Luther was being tried for heresy. They would sing it in tribute to Luther’s friend, the Reformation martyr, Leonhard Kaiser, who was executed on August 16, 1527. It was sung in 1529 at the Diet of Spires as the German princes made a formal “protest” against the annulment of their liberties and received the pejorative moniker, “Protestant”. The song caught fire. Soon everyone was singing it. It became known as the Battle Hymn of the Reformation. And even though Luther credits the hate of this world to the original hater himself, the hymn resolves itself not toward despair, but to hope:

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.

Go ahead. Find a quiet place and belt it out. It will do your soul some good!