This Fall, we are featuring hymn stories about some of the hymns being shared in our hymn sing. Each week will have a different hymn story about the song’s composition and the author. We hope you enjoy learning more about these songs of our faith!

Psalm 23: 5-6 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

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For “littles” and “young at heart”

A Prayer for School:

(Feel free to say each line and have your child repeat what you say or say it as you pray together.)

Dear God,
When I’m at school help me to learn and have fun. Help me to be kind to my friends,
listen to my teacher and work hard.
Thank you for my bus drivers, cooks, janitors and all who work in my school.
Thank you for giving my eyes to see, ears to hear and a brain to think. Amen.

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Whisper a Prayer

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A Mighty Fortress is Our God
By Martin Luther

Hymn Background:

“God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

We think of Martin Luther as a great reformer, Bible translator, political leader, fiery preacher, and theologian. But he was also a musician, having been born in an area of Germany known for its music. There in his little Thuringian village, young Martin grew up listening to his mother sing. He joined a boys’ choir that sang at weddings and funerals. He became proficient with the flute (recorder), and his volcanic emotions often erupted in song.

When the Protestant Reformation began, Luther determined to restore worship to the German Church. He worked with skilled musicians to create new music for Christians, to be sung in the vernacular. He helped revive congregational singing and wrote a number of hymns.

Often he “borrowed” popular secular melodies for his hymns, though occasionally a tune brought criticism and he was “compelled to let the devil have it back again” because it was too closely associated with bars and taverns.

In the forward of a book, Luther once wrote: “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits . . . .A person who. . . does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God. . . . does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs.”

Luther’s most famous hymn is “Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott,” — “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Based on Psalm 46, it reflects Luther’s awareness of our intense struggle with Satan. In difficulty and danger, Luther would often resort to this song, saying to his associate, “Come, Philippe, let us sing the 46th Psalm.”

This was a difficult hymn to translate because the original German was so vivid. At least 80 English versions are available.