Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#469

469. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Instrument/Format Page ScanAccompanimentAlto SaxBassBassoonBulletin (harmony)Bulletin (melody)CelloClarinetFluteHornLarge PrintLead SheetOboePewProjection (harmony)Projection (melody)Tenor SaxTromboneTrumpetTubaViolaViolin

You have access to this FlexScore.
Download:

Are parts of this score outside of your desired range? Try transposing this FlexScore.

General Settings

Stanza Selection

Voice Selection

Text size

Text size:

-3 -2 -1 +0 +1 +2 +3 +4

Music size

Music size:

-8 -6 -4 -2 +0 +2 +4 +6 +8 +10

Transpose (Half Steps)

Transpose (Half Steps):

-12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 None 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Capo

Capo:

None 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Contacting server...

Contacting server...

$2.99 Purchase the FlexScore for this hymn instance (licensed for a single user) $11.99 Purchase all of the FlexScore instruments/formats for this hymn instance (licensed for all instrumentalists in your church or organization) $39.99 Purchase a Hymnary Pro subscription and get unlimited access to all public domain FlexScores for one year
	Questions? Check out the FAQ

A separate copy of this score must be purchased for each choir member. If this score will be projected or included in a bulletin, usage must be reported to a licensing agent (e.g. CCLI, OneLicense, etc).

This is a preview of your FlexScore.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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!

Text Information

• First Line: A mighty fortress is our God
• Title: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
• Author: Martin Luther (1529)
• Translator: Frederick Henry Hedge (1852)
• Meter: 87 87 66 66 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Romans 8:35-39
  ;
  Psalm 46
  ;
  1 Peter 5:9
  ;
  Philippians 3
  ;
  Romans 8:39
• Topic: Commitment & Dedication; Deliverance; Enemies & Persecution; Reformation; Redemption; Assurance; Kingdom; Pilgrimage & Conflct; Refuge; Victory; Word of God

Tune Information

• Name: EIN FESTE BURG (ISORHYTHMIC)
• Composer: Martin Luther (1529, alt.)
• Harmonizer: Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750
• Meter: 87 87 66 66 7
• Key: C Major

Text Information:

Scripture References:
all st. = Ps.46
st. 3 = 1 Pet. 5:8

See PHH 468 for a brief history of the original text and tune. This English translation of Luther's German text is by Frederick H. Hedge (b. Cambridge, MA, 1805; d. Cambridge, 1890); it was published in Furness's Gems of German Verse (1852) and in Hymns for the Church of Christ (1853), a hymnal edited by Hedge and Frederick Huntington. Hedge's translation, which closely follows Luther's words, is the one usually found in North American hymnals.

Hedge was a precocious child who read Latin and Greek classics at an early age. Between the ages of twelve and sixteen he was in Germany, where he studied German literature. Educated at Harvard University and Divinity School, he became a Unitarian minister in 1829. Hedge served congregations in Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and taught church history at Harvard Divinity School (1857-1876) and German literature at Harvard University (1872-1884). A respected transcendentalist and a famous German scholar, he published the monumental Prose Writers of Germany 0848). His original hymns and translations were published in Hymns for the Church of Christ (1853), which he compiled with F. Dan Huntington. He is remembered primarily for his translation of Luther's famous hymn.

Stanzas 1-3 of the original text were inspired by Psalm 46; stanza 4 arose directly from Luther's persecution experience. The text expresses trust in God's protection amidst the battle that Christians wage against the devil. "Earthly powers" in stanza four undoubtedly referred to the Roman Catholic authorities of Luther's day, but modern Christians may identity other "powers" that oppose the rule of Christ. The closing line of the text provides much comfort: "God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!"

Liturgical Use:
See PHH 468.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

The original rhythms of EIN FESTE BURG (see 469) had already reached their familiar isorhythmic (all equal rhythms) shape by the time of Johann S. Bach (PHH 7) in the eighteenth century. The harmonization is taken from his Cantata 80. Many organ and choral works are based on this chorale, including Felix Mendelssohn (PHH 279) in his Symphony and Giacomo Meyerbeer in his opera Les Huguenots.
This rhythmic setting needs a more majestic approach than the one found at 468.
Sing in harmony on stanzas 2 and 3 and in unison on stanzas 1 and 4. Support the singing with strong accompaniment on the organ and/or with use of a brass ensemble.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook