Martin and Katherine Luther
In 1527, the plague approached Wittenberg, Germany, home of Martin and Katherine Luther. Some say it was this looming calamity that prompted Luther to write one of the great hymns of the church: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” [1]
In fact, our congregation sang the ancient lyrics this past Sunday, although we were accompanied by keyboard, guitar, and drum—not organ. I was struck by the second line of the third verse:
“We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro’ us.”
My mind wandered a bit. I wonder how many scriptural truths promise the result of triumph through us—verses like “My God will meet all your needs.”[2] There must be hundreds!
A bit of research revealed that Luther based his hymn on these scriptural truths from Psalm 46:
- God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (v. 1)
- We will not fear though the earth give way (v. 2)
- The Lord Almighty is with us; God is our fortress (v. 7)
Even though Luther and his family stayed in Wittenberg to care for the sick and dying, he wouldn’t have expected God to spare him or family members from the plague. Luther knew God doesn’t always intervene; he never promised heaven on earth.
But Luther understood: with God as our spiritual refuge, we find the comfort, strength, and support we need through the darkest valleys (Psalm 23).
God will lead us to triumph and provide victory over fear.
Another confidence-building scripture is tucked into the book of Nahum: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (1:7).
If we put our minds to it, every one of us can attest to the truth of those statements, because the Lord is good to all. [3]
Consider a few ways God demonstrates goodness to his people, and see if examples from your own life don’t come to mind.
- He draws us to himself, gifting us with eternal life as we believe in his Son Jesus [4]
- He provides mentors and experiences that grow our faith as well as blessings that increase our joy [5]
- He attentively cares for us and spares us from grave errors in judgment as we obey him [6]
- He bestows comfort and security during difficult times and augments the delight of happy times [7]
- His Word guides us in perfect wisdom day by day, year after year [8]
- He empowers us to accomplish tasks we never could have completed on our own [9]
“It’s important to rehearse the lovely, rich truths and promises that remain when other things change. Keep telling these truths, in all their many-sided glory, and one day, walls already cracked will crumble and fall.”
Jim McGuiggan [10]
Picture your fears cracking, crumbling, and falling in a heap in response to the weight of God’s truths.
That’s a picture of triumph!
“We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro’ us.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Father, for Your gracious invitation to leave our concerns with you and free ourselves of anxiety. As I affirm your truth, you provide fortitude and peace.
One day, the father of lies who provokes all fears WILL be defeated. As Martin Luther wrote, “One little word shall fell him!”[11] We eagerly look forward to that day.
(1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 16:20; Philippians 3:20)
Addendum: Martin Luther and his family were all spared during the plague of 1527.
[1] No copies of this hymn have been found before this date, but a growing number after, leading various scholars to support this theory (https://www.challies.com/articles/hyms-stories-a-mighty-fortress-is-our-god/).
[2] Philippians 4:19
[3] Psalm 145:9
[4] John 6:44; 3:16
[5] Proverbs 12:15; 18:15; Psalm 4:7
[6] Psalm 27:10 HCSB; 37:23-24
[7] Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 16:11
[8] Psalm 32:8. However, I must confess to not always being receptive.
[9] Philippians 4:13
[10] Quoted by Beth Moore in Praying God’s Word, 138.
[11] From the last line of verse three, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
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From the Inside Out 
There is a wonderful biography about Martin Luther and Katherine that was written by Michelle DeRusha, Nancy. I highly recommend it!
I do so love that hymn, too.
Blessings!
Thank you for the recommendation, Martha. I’ve seen that book recommended elsewhere also. Will have to check it out!
We still sing this hymn in our church. The words so powerfully describe the spiritual warfare that believers have waged against “our ancient foe” over the centuries. ⚔️
“One little word shall fell him!” All the more profound when you consider the truth of what you said, Annie: we’ve been fighting this ancient foe for millenia. Praise God his days are numbered!
Oh yes Nancy. I like your picture of triumph. My wife and I can sure testify to the realities of Psalm 46 throughout our lives
Thank you, Gary. We can also testify to the realities of Psalm 46. There’s additional comfort in knowing our Mighty Fortress has been a refuge to countless millions down through the ages. In fact, he’s never failed to do so–Hallelujah!
Thank you, Nancy for this encouraging post. I love the song and have played it on the piano several times this week!
How about that?! Years ago I used to play an arrangement by Tedd Smith which I particularly loved. It brought out the majesty of the lyrics. My rusty fingers would have trouble playing it today!
I didn’t realize Luther wrote that during the plague. It makes the hymn even more powerful!! Thank you, my friend!
You’re welcome, Sheila. The background of this hymn was unfamiliar to me also. I agree: to know the stories behind the hymns make them even more meaningful and powerful!
I love your work; it is always very interesting and informative.
Thank you very much for your encouragement, Equipping!
You are very, very welcome.
Wow!!! You pulled all of these verses together so beautifully! This essay is so well-written and so inspiring. God bless you!
Thank you, Linda, for your encouragement. Praise God for his inspiration and instruction!
How cool that a line in hymn brought you deeper into scripture and prayer. This is a cool practice!
The probing and pondering certainly benefited my spirit, Jean!
Truth! This week the Lord has shared with me that He is, indeed, holding my hand every step of the way. I look at the world around me and He helps me fight the panic that threatens to overcome me. How blessed I am that He is so patient with me that he reminds me multiple times that He is my fortress and has already overcome the world.
I think God well knows the struggle we all face, keeping our focus on who HE is instead of our circumstances. That may be why such statements as “God is my/our/your refuge” are included so frequently in scripture! I’ve also heard it said that “Do not fear” (and similar commands) are found 365 times in scripture–one for each day! We are indeed blessed, Cheri, by his patient understanding.
I LOVE that mental picture of all my fears crumbling under the weight of God’s truths. That’s the only weight that I should be carrying! Another powerful and encouraging blog, Nancy. Thank you!
“The only weight we carry”–love that, Patty! Thankfully God’s truths aren’t heavy like a wrecking ball, yet they wield a powerful punch against the enemy’s lies!
Nancy,
That’s powerful stuff. Many of the hymns sare full of spiritual content. Do you remember the show, Davy and Goliath? A Mighty Fortress was their theme song.
Thank you,
Gary
Now that you mention it, Gary, I DO remember Davy and Goliath–a Christian TV program (claymation?) about a boy and his dog, right? (I did not remember their theme song!) Their adventures taught biblical lessons as I recall. We didn’t have a TV until I was ten; ‘must have watched this show when I visited my grandmother!
That’s them. A Mighty Fortress was the theme.
A perfectly timed reading of your post Nancy. I just sang a Mighty Fortress with my devotions this morning, so I appreciate all the more what you wrote.
How about that, Beth?! ‘Love it when these happy God-incidences occur!
God has given you such a sweet ability to encourage others with His truth. Love your willingness to obediently share these nuggets of truth and wisdom!!❤️
Thank you, Alicia, for YOUR sweet encouragement. I praise God for prompting me to start a blog in the first place, and for faithfully providing a seed of an idea each week, and then helping me to grow it into a post!
❤️
It’s such a powerful distinction, Nancy. God doesn’t spare us the source of our fears, but instead removes fear itself, so we can face whatever comes our way with confidence and comfort. As you said, Luther did not expect to be spared from the plague but instead sought spiritual refuge. “A Mighty Fortress…” is one of my favorite hymns. It played over the closing credits of every episode of “Davey and Goliath”, the animated children’s show I watched “religiously” every Sunday morning as a kid.
You’re the second person to remember “Davey and Goliath!” (See gpavants comment above.) Luther’s hymn IS a powerful one–undoubtedly Spirit-inspired. After researching its background, I’ll be singing it with new understanding from now on!
Nancy, I appreciate this thorough discussion. Indeed, God’s truth can lead to only one Triumph . . . at Calvary’s bloody cross. Jesus fulfills the truth and promises of the Father. Blessings and grace be with you.
Thank you, BSB. And thank YOU for this: “Jesus fulfills the truth and promises of the Father.” “Hallelujah, What a Savior!” (Another old hymn we used to sing!)
While I enjoy many contemporary Christian songs, singing a traditional hymn is a reverent-filled blessing.
I’m with you, BSB. I enjoy many of the contemporary Christian songs too, but still love the old hymns with content-rich lyrics.