#1 - A Mighty Fortress

A church I once worked at had a little hanging board with a single hymnal page for A Mighty fortress lacquered to the board. The board was made to look rustic and the edges of the page were even burned to look old and valuable.  Since no one really claimed the little plaque I put it on the wall in my office.  When the time came to leave the church, the plaque came with me.  It still hangs on the wall in my room.

My favorite rendition of this Hymn is sung by Steve Green.  Below is a video of one of his versions.  It's kind of old and not as good as the version he sang at Promise Keepers in 1996, but he still does a great job.  If you haven’t heard it before, turn the volume up and I’d recommend sitting down.  My knees get week every time he gets to the key change at the fourth verse... 

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.

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 Sabboth, 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 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.

That word above all earthly powers
Not 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...