Hymns of Martin Luther

“I wish to make German hymns for the people, that the Word of God may dwell in their hearts by means of song also.”

Martin Luther

Faith, Works, and the Bible

Five centuries ago, during the peak of the Renaissance era, Martin Luther (1483-1546) made history by stepping away from the Catholic church and helping initiate the Protestant Reformation. He believed in faith and works, and while he was condemned as an outlaw for speaking against the Church, he garnered many followers.

Luther was the first person to translate the Bible into German from Latin, which changed the face of religion. Now everyone had access to the scriptures; the clergy was no longer some mysterious holder of God’s word, and the people were able to study the Bible and act on their faith.

Martin Luther’s Music

As he reformed religion, Luther used music to do so. He wrote many hymns based on Psalms and other scripture that he incorporated into his worship services, and he started the tradition of congregational singing. (In the Catholic church, service music was sung by a professional choir rather than the congregation.) Because of this, his hymns connect religion with people of all genders, classes, and ages.

Luther’s church music consists of sacred songs that he translated into German from established Church music. These hymns were often created as a result of turning points in Luther’s life or important events that occurred during the Reformation. The first book of hymns, called Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn (“A spiritual song booklet”), was published in the year 1524.

The Chorale

A chorale is a congregational hymn sung in 4 parts, where the top voice has the melody and the text is religious. Lyrics draw from scripture and poems. Melodies hearken back to secular and folk songs, which allowed for simplicity in both structure and tune. This made it easy for congregations to sing these hymns in religious services.

I’d like to share with you some of Luther’s more well known chorales:

A Mighty Fortress

One of Luther’s most famous chorales is A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (“Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott”). Composed sometime between 1527 and 1529, the words are a paraphrase of Psalm 46:

German Lyrics	English Translation	Psalm 46 (KJV)
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, ein gute Wehr und Waffen. Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not, die uns jetzt hat betroffen. Der alt böse Feind mit Ernst er’s jetzt meint, groß Macht und viel List sein grausam Rüstung ist, auf Erd ist nicht seins gleichen. Mit unsrer Macht ist nichts getan, wir sind gar bald verloren; es streit’ für uns der rechte Mann, den Gott hat selbst erkoren. Fragst du, wer der ist? Er heißt Jesus Christ, der Herr Zebaoth, und ist kein andrer Gott, das Feld muss er behalten. Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel wär und wollt uns gar verschlingen, so fürchten wir uns nicht so sehr, es soll uns doch gelingen. Der Fürst dieser Welt, wie sau’r er sich stellt, tut er uns doch nicht; das macht, er ist gericht’: ein Wörtlein kann ihn fällen. Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn und kein’ Dank dazu haben; er ist bei uns wohl auf dem Plan mit seinem Geist und Gaben. Nehmen sie den Leib,[7] Gut, Ehr, Kind und Weib: lass fahren dahin, sie haben’s kein’ Gewinn, das Reich muss uns doch bleiben.	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 his 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 is 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 for ever.	1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Many of Luther’s followers rallied around A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. In fact, it was nicknamed “Battle Hymn of the Reformation” as it united Protestants during the religious shift.

Wir glauben all an einen Gott

“Wir glauben all an einen Gott” (We all believe in one God) paraphrases some of Luther’s teachings that the Godhead is made of three unified parts. Read here for an English translation.

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

Luther wrote Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (“Now come, Saviour of the heathens”) using music based on Catholic Christmas music. It has since been sung at Advent services to welcome the Christmas season. Click here for the words.

Even though Martin Luther wrote music and inspired people hundreds of years ago, his hymns have changed religious worship and music. The outcome of the Reformation influenced many composers in the years after Luther, and his hymns continue to inspire composers today.