| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
| |
| 321. Paraphrase of Luther’s Hymn |
| | | By Frederic Henry Hedge |
| |
| |
| 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 | 5 |
| 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, | 10 |
| 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, | 15 |
| 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, | 20 |
| 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, | 25 |
| 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 | 30 |
| 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, | 35 |
| His Kingdom is forever. | |
| |
|
|
|
