182 Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
From the Epistle. [Eph. 6:10-12]
[Psalm 46]
8,7,8,7,6,6,6,6,7
Ein feste Burg
Luther. 1530.
Hymn composed on the road to Worms.
trans. by William Gaskell, 1855
| A sure stronghold our God is He, A trusty shield and weapon; Our help He'll be and set us free From every ill can happen. That old malicious foe Intends us deadly woe; Armed with the strength of hell And deepest craft as well, On earth is not his fellow. | | 183 Through our own force we nothing can, Straight were we lost forever; But for us fights the proper Man, By God sent to deliver. Ask ye who this may be? Christ Jesus named is He, Of Sabaoth the Lord; Sole God to be adored; 'Tis he must win the battle. | | And were the world with devils filled, All eager to devour us, Our souls to fear should little yield, They cannot overpower us. Their dreaded Prince no more Can harm us as of yore; Look grim as e'er he may, Doomed is his ancient sway; A word can overthrow him. | | Still shall they leave that Word His might, And yet no thanks shall merit; Still is He with us in the fight, By His good gifts and Spirit. E'en should they take our life, Goods, honour, children, wife-- Though all of these be gone, Yet nothing have they won, God's kingdom ours abideth! | |
Electronic edition: for Winkworth's translation, see the Appendix.