During the Reformation a godly man poured forth his acknowledgment of the mighty power of Deity in a hymn that has come down through the centuries with a message of comfort and courage to all Christians. It adjures them to a stronger tenure on divinity, especially in time of trouble. The hymn begins,
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing:
Our Helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
A fortress had for generations been a symbol of protection from the attacks of the enemy. Comparing God to a mighty fortress was Martin Luther's way of declaring that omnipotence cares for and protects humanity under all difficulties. He had undoubtedly read in the Scriptures (Ps. 18:2), "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
