Singing through the Hymnal: week 14

Verse: Psalm 46:1

Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Currently, I am getting ready to participate in a celebration of 500 years since the reformation. Tomorrow, I will sing A Mighty Fortress is Our God for this week with thousands of others. How delighted I was to see this was our hymn for the week! This is a must for your children. It is written by one of the great men of the faith - the father of the reformation. Martin Luther did a great work to revive congregational singing!

Start with the first verse, but make sure you teach your children this hymn in its entirety! I have many favorite lines from this hymn, but I think the one I always go back to is: "Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever."

Fun Facts

Text: Martin Luther (1483-1546)

• He translated the Bible into German so that his people could read it for themselves. 
• He wrote hymns so that people could sing the truths they learned
• He endured persecution for the reforms he pursued
• He was inspired to write this hymn from Psalm 46. It was translated into English in 1852.

Tune: EIN FESTE BURG l

• literally means "a firm castle"
• Luther either wrote it or adapted it from a folk song
• J.S. Bach ( a believer and organist in a Lutheran church ) harmonized it as the hymn we know today.

Remember to order you copy of the hymnal we are singing through if you still need a hymnal!

    Things to think about ...

• When we feel afraid, defeated, or in great doubt - Sing the Word! This hymn helps us to sing the mighty promises of God.
• Define terms for your children: "LORD Sabaoth" is a Hebrew name for God meaning, "Lord of the Armies." He does battle for us.
• Define Bulwark - a solid wall built for defense
• Luther believed in music as a powerful tool given by God (and I agree!). He wrote:  "Music is a gift and grace of God, no an invention of men. I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of songs. I would allow no man to preach or teach God's people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song."
• Make sure you are familiar with the music of Keith and Kristyn Getty. They remind me much of Luther in their fervor for writing hymns based on the Word of God to aid the congregation. They wrote the forward in the hymnal I am using and have such a heart for getting the Word into the hearts of people through song. Their music is well written and well wed to their poetry.