Facebook-f Instagram

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Luther’s famous hymn was inspired by Psalms 46

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.

  1. This Psalm was possibly written to commemorate Israel’s victory over Sennacherib.

  2. The Refuge – vs. 1-3
    We are told three things about the refuge of God’s people.

    1. How Personal it is – vs.1a
    2. How Powerful it is – vs. 1b
    3. How Permanent it is – vs. 2-3

  3. The River – vs. 4-7

    1. The Marvelous River – v.4
    2. The Mysterious Resident – vs. 5-7

  4. The Ruler – vs. 8-11

    1. The Call to Behold – vs. 8-9
    2. The Call to Believe – vs. 10-11
      1. In God’s Person – vs. 10a
      2. In God’s Plan – vs. 10b
      3. In God’s Presence – v.11
From: Phillips, John. Exploring The Psalms. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1988.
Marcus Merritt
Latest posts by Marcus Merritt (see all)
Christ Marcus Merritt Old Testament Psalms