A safe stronghold our God is still (Martin Luther)
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- (Posted 2020-11-14) CPDL #61369:
- Editor: Andrew Sims (submitted 2020-11-14). Score information: A4, 1 page, 54 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: The hymn with four-part harmony and underlaid words in the version published in Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard
- (Posted 2020-11-14) CPDL #61368:
- Editor: Andrew Sims (submitted 2020-11-14). Score information: A4, 1 page, 105 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: The hymn in the version published in Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard, melody with words.
General Information
Title: A safe stronghold our God is still
Composer: Martin Luther
Tune: Ein feste Burg
Lyricist: Martin Luther
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn Meter: 87. 87. 66. 667
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella or keyboard
First published:
2nd published: 1983 in Hymns Ancient and Modern, New Standard, no. 114
Description: Luther's text translated by Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
A safe stronghold our God is still,
a trusty shield and weapon;
he’ll keep us clear from all the ill
that hath us now o’ertaken.
The ancient prince of hell
hath risen with purpose fell;
strong mail of craft and power
he weareth in this hour;
on earth is not his fellow.
With force of arms we nothing can,
full soon were we down-ridden;
but for us fights the proper Man,
whom God himself hath bidden.
Ask ye, Who is this same?
Christ Jesus is his name,
the Lord Sabaoth’s Son;
he, and no other one,
shall conquer in the battle.
And were this world all devils o’er,
and watching to devour us,
we lay it not to heart so sore;
not they can overpower us.
And let the prince of ill
look grim as e’er he will,
he harms us not a whit;
for why? his doom is writ;
a word shall quickly slay him.
God’s word, for all their craft and force,
one moment will not linger,
but, spite of hell, shall have its course;
’tis written by his finger.
And though they take our life,
goods, honour, children, wife,
yet is their profit small;
these things shall vanish all:
the City of God remaineth.