A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A mighty fortress is our God, a sword and shield victorious
The great Reformation hymn, a paraphrase of Psalm 46. The four stanzas present God as our defender against the devil, identify Christ as the one who wins the battle, acknowledge that earthly things may be lost but God's kingdom is secure, and declare that the Word of God stands forever. The quintessential Lutheran hymn.
History & Background
Written by Martin Luther in 1529, based on Psalm 46. The German original Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott became the anthem of the Reformation. Bach wrote Cantata BWV 80 based on this chorale. The hymn appears in multiple English translations; the ELW uses the translation by various hands.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 505
- Gather 4th Edition — 752
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 229
- Lutheran Service Book — 656
- Lutheran Worship — 298
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 262
Bach Cantatas
- BWV 80: A mighty fortress is our God (1724)
Bulletin Note
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God — Martin Luther, 1529
Preaching Connection
Psalm 46 — God as our refuge and strength; the Word of God that stands forever.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law → Gospel → Assurance → Victory. Establishes human vulnerability and demonic opposition, then proclaims Christ as sole defense, strengthens faith against worldly threats, and concludes with eternal triumph of God's truth over all earthly powers.
Themes
Reformation Spiritual Warfare God's Protection Luther