It's been a little longer than intended since my last recording but I've had quite a bit going on, not the least of which includes home repairs and, well, being lazy about recording. Being lazy can take a lot of work.
In any case, I've been wanting to do an arrangement of "A Mighty Fortress" for a while now and only recently did I get around to actually transcibing out the music, arranging it, troubleshooting it, listening to it over and over again in my notation software, and then finally recording the vocals. What's fun is that no matter how many times I listened to it, I kept finding one or two notes in the middle of phrases that sort of clashed. I think I have it all worked out now. If not, oh well. I'm not re-doing it again.
Anyway, the lyrics to Martin Luther's classic hymn are a great reminder for Christians about the provision of God for us and the fact that no matter what happens, He will have victory. If you're like me, and like many Christians, I've sung through the song numerous times over the years but never really paid attention to the lyrics. For simplicity, I'm reproducing them here:
Anyway, the lyrics to Martin Luther's classic hymn are a great reminder for Christians about the provision of God for us and the fact that no matter what happens, He will have victory. If you're like me, and like many Christians, I've sung through the song numerous times over the years but never really paid attention to the lyrics. For simplicity, I'm reproducing them here:
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
does 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.
You ask who that may 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 has 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 powers
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!
One thing I learned in high-school was that when it comes to poetry, it helps to never read it like a poem. A lot of times we get caught up in the rhyme scheme and when we read it out loud we're more focused on the cadence and flow of the words rather than the words themselves. This is especially unfortunate when dealing with hymns like this. So, I've decided to paraphrase the verses and write them as if they were a written devotional:
"Our God is like a mighty impregnable stronghold that will never be overthrown. Here, despite the overwhelming adversities of life on this mortal coil, He continues to prevail no matter what the enemy brings against it. Be certain, our adversary continues to seek to destroy us. Even though we have God as our fortress, Satan is not to be taken lightly. He is incredibly resilient, crafty, and commands great power among his cadre of fellow fallen angels. His is possessed of a malice and hatred for mankind that no mere mortal on earth could ever rival. If we were to rely on our own strength and seek to withstand him on our own, we would surely fail miserably. Fortunately for us, we have God's chosen Man who stands at our side and so long as we rely on Him, our striving against sin will never be in vain. Just who might this Man be you ask? None other than Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath Himself! From age to age, from the time He defeated Satan at the cross until now, He remains the same and he will win the battle!
This world is filled with evil and devils and it may at times feel as though we are going to be undone. However, we have no reason to fear because God has purposed in His children that His truth will triumph over evil. While we do not take that grim and terrible Prince of Darkness lightly, we also do not tremble because of him. Why should we? His doom is an absolute certainty! All it takes is one simple word from God to lay him low and defeat him for all time!
That in mind, never forget that the living Word, Christ, which rules above all earthly kings and authorities (no thanks to them for surely they continue to resist His kingship) continues to abide. Just as He promised the disciples in the upper room, through Him we have the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit as well. So, with all that God has done for us through Christ and the surety of victory that there will be against Satan, let all of our wealth and family leave us if they may. In fact, let us be willing to lose our lives for God's sake if necessary. Even if they kill us because of the gospel, God's truth will remain regardless because His kingdom is a glorious kingdom without end!"
Now, I could break this apart and cite numerous biblical passages which the lyrics to the song are based on and which would really fill out the ideas of the song even more. Suffice it to say, just as my paraphrase and expanded explanation of the lyrics shows, Christ's kingdom is current and active. There is no reason to look forward to some earthly kingdom at His return because He is ruling over the earth right now and bringing all things into subjection to Himself. It may not be fast enough for our tastes, but He will have the victory and no matter what happens, we can rest secure in God our fortress knowing that He has won the battle for us. We need but trust in Him.
God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. (Psalms 46:1-3 NASB2020)
