Lyrics Page
A Mighty Fortress
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Sep 10, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Song Meaning
Amy Grant lends her voice to one of the church's most enduring battle hymns, Luther's "A Mighty Fortress." The lyric opens with the image of God as a bulwark that never fails, a shelter standing firm while mortal ills flood in. From there the song turns to the ancient foe, whose craft and cruel hatred are real but not ultimate. The second stanza makes the crucial confession: if we trusted in our own strength, the striving would be lost. The right Man, Christ Jesus, Lord Sabaoth, is the one who must win the battle. The third stanza faces the world filled with devils and refuses to tremble, because the Prince of Darkness's doom is already sure — one little word shall fell him. The final stanza loosens the believer's grip on goods, kindred, and even mortal life itself, since the body may be killed but God's truth abides and His kingdom stands forever. Grant's reading keeps the hymn's sturdy, declarative confidence intact, letting the old words carry their weight without embellishment.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
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 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 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, no 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.