Hymn of the Day: A Safe Stronghold

A Safe Stronghold

A safe stronghold our God is still,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He’ll help us clear from all the ill
That hath us now o’ertaken.
The ancient prince of hell
Hath ris’n with purpose fell;
Strong mail of craft and pow’r
He weareth in this hour;
On earth is not his fellow.

With force of arms we nothing can,
Full soon we were down-ridden;
But for us fights the Proper Man,
Whom God Himself hath bidden.
Ask ye; who is this same?
Christ Jesus is His name,
The Lord Sabaoth’s Son;
He, and no other one,
Shall conquer in the battle.

And were this world all devils o’er,
And watching to devour us,
We lay it not to heart so sore;
Not they can overpower us.
And let the prince of ill
Look grim as ere he will,
He harms us not a whit:
For why? His doom is writ;
A word shall quickly slay him.

God’s word, for all their craft and force,
One moment will not linger;
But, spite of hell, shall have its course;
‘Tis written by His finger.
And though they take our life,
Goods, honour, children, wife,
Yet is their profit small:
These things shall vanish all;
The city of God remaineth.

Martin Luther, trans Thomas Carlyle

Piano: Bill Ashton

Singer: Hilary Ashton