A Mighty Fortress is our God

Joseph has put in 'almost' as much time on my piano as have I over the past year! At least his visits keep getting me back to a few favorite pieces to let him hear live baroque and classical harmonies.

Over Christmas, besides keeping Elsa's harp in tune as the new strings kept stretching... 

...I actually put in the (for me, physically demanding) hour of tuning all the sets of strings on my hammered dulcimer. I'm not sure if I've done that even once in the past 7 years, but back in college days I was using it a lot - even toting it around for various Christmas and madrigal concerts.



It was special to play a few old favorites again last month. But now as time and strength are once again demanded elsewhere, most of the music we make is with our voices.

When the 25 days of advent readings were over for 2020, we missed our nightly time together that always ended with a carol. So last week we began a new after-supper study: Exploring the Bible Together by David Murray. 

Yes, it is meant for children, but the bite sized portions of scripture will still give us a thorough overview of the whole Bible in a year. 

At the same time, we backed up to the beginning of our hymnal to sing through old favorites and all that are even slightly familiar, which should take us through the year as well.

Last night's hymn was particularly encouraging:

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 work 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.

- Martin Luther, 1529

(translated by F. H. Hedge, 1852)