A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
Hymn by Martin Luther
Walter's manuscript copy of "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott"
KeyC major/D major
CatalogueZahn 7377
Writtenc. 1529 (1529)
Textby Martin Luther
LanguageGerman
Based onPsalm 46
Meter8.7.8.7.6.6.6.6.7
Melodyby Martin Luther
Publishedc. 1531 (1531) (extant)
Audio
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
Written1853 (1853)
Textby Frederick H. Hedge (translator)
Melody version of the first printing
Later form

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (originally written in German with the title "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott") is one of the best known hymns by the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther, a prolific hymnwriter. Luther wrote the words and composed the hymn tune between 1527 and 1529.[1] It has been translated into English at least seventy times and also into many other languages.[1][2] The words are mostly original, although the first line paraphrases that of Psalm 46.[3]

  1. ^ a b Julian, John, ed., A Dictionary of Hymnology: Setting forth the Origin and History of Christian Hymns of All Ages and Nations, Second revised edition, 2 vols., n.p., 1907, reprint, New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1957, 1:322–25
  2. ^ W. G. Polack, The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal, Third and Revised Edition (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1958), 193, No. 262.
  3. ^ Marilyn Kay Stulken, Hymnal Companion to the Lutheran Book of Worship (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1981), 307–08, nos. 228–229.