A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

I grew up singing the old hymns, and I eventually got quite sick of the same ol' stuff each week and so became a fan of the new-fangled praise & worship choruses. Lately I've gotten to missing some of the "oldies but goodies" I grew up on.

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So, I think I'll start a new tradition here in my tiny corner of the blogosphere. Every Sunday, I'll post a new hymn.

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This was the first one I played in church, my violin debut. I remember I was shaking so hard I could hardly play, but I got through it. That's what I always think of when I hear this hymn played or mentioned.

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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

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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 doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

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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:

Dost 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.

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And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath 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.

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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.