A Mighty Fortress

Psalm 59:16-17 *
16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.
*New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

These words describing God as “my fortress” are a reminder of some of the words written by Martin Luther, entitled “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

In the second verse and a portion of the third, Luther writes, (Italics added for emphasis)
“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.

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 hymn ends with the following:
“The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Though 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 us forever.”

Thank goodness for the place of refuge, for the strength, and for the assurance we have from the One who has already won the victory, our Lord Jesus Christ.