Music Notes from Olesya Savinkova, Minister of Music:
We think of Martin Luther as a great reformer, Bible translator, political leader, fiery preacher, and theologian. But he was also a musician, having been born in an area of Germany known for its music. There in his little village, he grew up listening to his mother sing. He joined a boys’ choir that sang at weddings and funerals, and he became proficient with the flute. When the Protestant Reformation began, Luther determined to restore worship to the German Church. He worked with skilled musicians to create new music for Christians, to be sung in the vernacular. He helped revive congregational singing and wrote many hymns.
In the forward of a book, Luther once wrote, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits. A person who does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs.” He did not hold back, did he? Luther’s most famous hymn is “Ein’feste Burg ist unser Gott,”-“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Based on Psalm 46, it reflects Luther’s awareness of our intense struggle with Satan. In difficulty and danger, Luther would often resort to this song, saying to his associate, “Come, Philipp, let us sing the 46th Psalm.” This is a difficult hymn to translate because the original German is so vivid. At least eighty English versions are available, 3 of which are available in ELW (503-505). This hymn is often referred to as the battle hymn of the Protestant Reformation. This was the hymn sung by the soldiers of Gustavus Adoplhus as he led his Swedish troops to save Germany for Protestantism. It has such force that at times it has been against the law to sing it.
Luther’s faith carried him through many difficulties. This hymn shows us the very center of Luther’s faith, Jesus Christ. As we sing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God and celebrate 500th anniversary of the Reformation on October 29, let us listen to these tremendous words. They tell us that the only all-important person in life is God. Let people think what they will. Let them do to us what they wish. God’s truth will remain. Everything else on earth will change, but the Kingdom of God is everlasting.
"God’s Word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side with weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house, goods, honor, child, or spouse, though life be wrenched away, they cannot win the day.
The kingdom’s ours forever!"
Olesya Savinkova-your faithful Minister of Music.
