Sunday, November 01, 2009

Sunday Song: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
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.
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 my be? Christ Jesus it is he,
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
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.
That word above all earthly pow'rs, 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.

The year was 1528 and the author Martin Luther, the leader of the protestant reformation. The song is rich in scripture. It begins with Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. It also ends with Psalm 46:2, 11 therefor we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea... The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. In between the beginning and end, verse by verse we see the oppression of Satan against the believers but ultimately we see that Christ overcomes all. He is Lord Sabaoth. The Almighty referred to in Romans 9:29 and James 5:4. Isaiah 51:8 is referenced when Luther proclaims that age to age he is the same.

Martin Luther said, "the word of God may dwell among the people also by the means of song. Music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. Thus, it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful.. The devil, the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the word of God." The catholic church had used chanting for years as a means of scripture memorization. Luther not only brought the scriptures out into the light of day for the common people but also brought music to them. Music became a tool for learning and a means of expressing worship to God by the entire congregation. No longer reserved for monks or priests but for all.