Today’s Daily Moment is devoted to an enduring hymn that continues to inspire, encourage, and strengthen faith to this day.

According to The Hymnal 1982 Companion, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” ranks among the most important of Christian hymns, crossing denominational barriers, and sung in at least 200 different languages!

Composed by Martin Luther around 1527-1528, the words are a paraphrase of Psalm 46 interpreted in Christological terms: Christ Jesus will triumph over Satan.

Luther likely wrote the magnificent tune as well: he was learned both in music and theology.

By the way, the tune is not borrowed from a drinking song! This myth is attributable to a misunderstanding of the term “bar-form” used to describe the tune’s structure. It has nothing to do with imbibing!

Click on this link to listen to and follow the words of this captioned video of “A Mighty Fortress.” In the 3rd stanza the choir sings Luther’s original jazzy rhythm! (2:30 on the video)

Popularly known as “The Battle Hymn of the Reformation,” it is unlikely that this was Luther’s intent. An early printing of the hymn bears this revealing title: “A Hymn of Comfort.” Luther, known to have sought and found comfort in Psalm 46, saw this hymn as a means for Christians to take hope and comfort in difficult times.

Looking from our perspective living in the midst of a pandemic, it is revealing that Luther’s own household was impacted by the outbreak of the plague in Wittenburg, Germany in 1527 – about the same time that he wrote “A Hymn of Comfort.”

We too can take comfort, encouragement, inspiration, and strength as we read, listen to, and sing this great hymn of faith. God’s kingdom endures forever, and, through Jesus Christ, we are inheritors of that kingdom. Can there be any better news than this?

Thanks be to God!

Peter

PS: Click below to hear the familiar tune in the rousing final movement of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 “Reformation.”