Martin Luther was born on November 10,1483 in Eisleben, Saxony, Germany. He was educated at the University of Erfurt. On October 31, 1517, sometimes called the “4th of July of Protestantism,” Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany. These theses condemned various practices and teachings of the Roman church. After several years of stormy disputes with the Pope and other church leaders, Martin Luther was finally excommunicated from the fellowship of the Roman Catholic church in 1520.
One of the important benefits of the Reformation Movement was the rediscovery of congregational singing. Luther had strong convictions about the use and power of sacred music. He expressed his convictions in this way, ..."I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of songs."
...Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” has often been called the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation” and has been translated into almost every known language. It was perhaps the single most powerful hymn of the Reformation, as it was a great source of strength and inspiration for those who were persecuted and even martyred for their convictions.
Martin Luther used Psalm 46 as the inspiration for “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Luther’s four stanzas interpret this psalm from his own experience during the troubled times of the Reformation. He interpreted the psalm to be not merely expressing God’s protection and strength for God’s people of Jerusalem, but for God’s people of all times. And he understood the battle described in the psalm to be more than an earthly battle but a spiritual battle. So Luther saw in Psalm 46 a great encouragement for him and the Reformers that God would be a strong refuge and strength for them in their current time of trouble—a battle against not merely fleshly armies but in the realm of spiritual warfare as they defended the Gospel itself.
...Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546, in Eisleben, Germany, and is buried at Schlosskirche, Wittenberg, Germany. The first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer at Wittenberg, and may still be read with appreciation by travellers to that historic spot.
...Like Psalm 46, the hymn "A MIghty Fortress Is Our God", begins by proclaiming that God is our refuge (a fortress is a military fort or a fortified place) and strength (a bulwork is a wall of defense or even a shield). The Lord is our constant source for help in time of trouble—even when trials seem to be flooding over us. But thenour great adversary is mentioned as our greatest threat who still strives to do us harm. He—Satan—is clever and powerful and filled with hate. And on earth Satan has no equal. (1 Peter 5:8)
The second stanza, however, makes it clear that though we cannot win the spiritual battle by our own strength (Ephesians 6:11-12), God has provided us with the One who can and will win the battle. And that One is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. His name is “Lord Sabaoth”, which means “Lord Almighty”, “Lord of Hosts” or even “Lord of Armies”. Luther is referring to Psalm 46:7 and 11, in which God is named the Lord of Hosts. This means the Lord of Armies—meaning both earthly armies and the Lord’s angelic armies (see 2 Kings 6:15, where Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened to see the hosts protecting them). The point being that the Lord over all spiritual hosts is the Man—Jesus Christ—who will win the spiritual battle. Note that Luther also is making a clear proclamation of Christ’s deity by both calling him Lord Almighty and saying He is the same from age to age (He is eternal—the same yesterday, today, and forever—Heb 13:8).
The third stanza expresses that though the demonic forces against us are great, we have no need to fear because our God has willed that His truth would triumph through us. And though Satan is ferociously evil, we can endure his anger because we know he is a defeated foe. Our Lord is infinitely greater! So much so that “one little word” uttered from our Lord will ruin him. (Psalms 46:6 says “He uttered His voice, the earth melted”).
The final stanza uses a play on words—“word” was used in the last line of stanza three and now “Word” is used to represent Christ. Christ is above all earthly powers and is there for us. Also, God—who is on our side—has given us His Spirit and His gifts. So we have nothing to fear and nothing to lose! The evil one may be allowed to take our earthly goods and family (“goods and kindred”). He may even be allowed to take our earthly life! But the worst the enemies of truth can do is really nothing. They are all perishing. But the Lord, His truth, His kingdom, and all those who belong to Him will endure forever.
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One of the important benefits of the Reformation Movement was the rediscovery of congregational singing. Luther had strong convictions about the use and power of sacred music. He expressed his convictions in this way, ..."I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of songs."
...Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” has often been called the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation” and has been translated into almost every known language. It was perhaps the single most powerful hymn of the Reformation, as it was a great source of strength and inspiration for those who were persecuted and even martyred for their convictions.
Martin Luther used Psalm 46 as the inspiration for “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Luther’s four stanzas interpret this psalm from his own experience during the troubled times of the Reformation. He interpreted the psalm to be not merely expressing God’s protection and strength for God’s people of Jerusalem, but for God’s people of all times. And he understood the battle described in the psalm to be more than an earthly battle but a spiritual battle. So Luther saw in Psalm 46 a great encouragement for him and the Reformers that God would be a strong refuge and strength for them in their current time of trouble—a battle against not merely fleshly armies but in the realm of spiritual warfare as they defended the Gospel itself.
...Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546, in Eisleben, Germany, and is buried at Schlosskirche, Wittenberg, Germany. The first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer at Wittenberg, and may still be read with appreciation by travellers to that historic spot.
...Like Psalm 46, the hymn "A MIghty Fortress Is Our God", begins by proclaiming that God is our refuge (a fortress is a military fort or a fortified place) and strength (a bulwork is a wall of defense or even a shield). The Lord is our constant source for help in time of trouble—even when trials seem to be flooding over us. But thenour great adversary is mentioned as our greatest threat who still strives to do us harm. He—Satan—is clever and powerful and filled with hate. And on earth Satan has no equal. (1 Peter 5:8)
The second stanza, however, makes it clear that though we cannot win the spiritual battle by our own strength (Ephesians 6:11-12), God has provided us with the One who can and will win the battle. And that One is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. His name is “Lord Sabaoth”, which means “Lord Almighty”, “Lord of Hosts” or even “Lord of Armies”. Luther is referring to Psalm 46:7 and 11, in which God is named the Lord of Hosts. This means the Lord of Armies—meaning both earthly armies and the Lord’s angelic armies (see 2 Kings 6:15, where Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened to see the hosts protecting them). The point being that the Lord over all spiritual hosts is the Man—Jesus Christ—who will win the spiritual battle. Note that Luther also is making a clear proclamation of Christ’s deity by both calling him Lord Almighty and saying He is the same from age to age (He is eternal—the same yesterday, today, and forever—Heb 13:8).
The third stanza expresses that though the demonic forces against us are great, we have no need to fear because our God has willed that His truth would triumph through us. And though Satan is ferociously evil, we can endure his anger because we know he is a defeated foe. Our Lord is infinitely greater! So much so that “one little word” uttered from our Lord will ruin him. (Psalms 46:6 says “He uttered His voice, the earth melted”).
The final stanza uses a play on words—“word” was used in the last line of stanza three and now “Word” is used to represent Christ. Christ is above all earthly powers and is there for us. Also, God—who is on our side—has given us His Spirit and His gifts. So we have nothing to fear and nothing to lose! The evil one may be allowed to take our earthly goods and family (“goods and kindred”). He may even be allowed to take our earthly life! But the worst the enemies of truth can do is really nothing. They are all perishing. But the Lord, His truth, His kingdom, and all those who belong to Him will endure forever.
More...
