Our Mighty Fortress

 

The Musician's Mighty Fortress 

Psalm 46:7, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” 

Today we are going to consider the second verse of Martin Luther’s great reformation hymn “Ein feste Burg ist unser Got” which means “A mighty Fortress is our God”.  A modern translation of the second verse is given below. 

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.

I believe that the German phrase “Der Herr Zebaoth” which has been translated “Lord Sabaoth” was taken by Luther from the phrase “The Lord of Hosts” in the seventh verse of forty sixth Psalm.  Yahovah tsaba (3068 6635) means the self-existent eternal God who does battle for the hosts [His people].  That is his name!  No wonder Luther called this hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”.  Christian musician, God is your mighty fortress.  As Psalm 46:7 promises, God is your mighty cliff or refuge (misgab 4869) it is so mighty and high that Satan cannot get to you to do you harm.

If you depend on your own strength or you will lose, but if you depend on Christ Jesus, He will win the battle for you.  As Luther’s hymn reminds us, Jesus is God the Father’s choice and the Father doesn’t ever make a mistake.  So, let the “Lord Sabaoth” fight your battles while you are protected in His mighty fortress.