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Thursday, September 08, 2005

Hymn Stories

Hymn Stories

“A mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Basing his words on Psalm 46, “We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us”, Martin Luther, the head of Protestant Reformation proclaim his confidence in God and rallies all Christians to war against evil. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is one of the most symbolized hymn.

Luther understood the power of evil: After he posted his ninety-five theses on the door of Wittenberg’s Castle in 1517, he faces years of trial and persecution, he was excommunicated from the Roman Church, and he continually faced threats against his life and his freedom. Other reformer has been persecuted and burned at the stake.

But he also knew “God is our refuge and strength, a very pleasant help in danger” (Psalm 46:1) and so he wrote “A Mighty Fortress is our God”, proclaiming boldly that “the prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him….one little word shall fell him.”

Since he wrote it in 1529, Luther’s hymn has been translated into nearly every language. The first line of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is inscribed on the tomb of Martin Luther at Wittenberg. The hymn was sung at the funeral of President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the National Cathedral in Washington DC, March 1969. And it was also included in the National Service of Prayer and Remembrance, held shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks against America.


“Amazing Grace”:

The Story of John Newton (1725-1807).

“Amazing grace!How sweet the sound…

That sav’d a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found….

Was blind, but now I see…..”

…the most beloved hymns of all the times. The author of the words was John Newton, the self-proclaimed wretch who once was lost but then was found, saved by amazing grace.

Born in July 24, 1725 in London, he was the son of a commander of a merchant ship which sailed the Mediterranian. After his father retired, Newton decided to be a common seaman.

At his own request, Newton was exchange into service on a slave ship, then became servant of a slave trader and was brutally abused. Early in 1748, he was rescued by a sea captain who had known his father. He was ultimately became captain of his own ship.

Although he had some early religious instruction from his mother, he given up any religious since she died. However, on a homeward voyage, he attempted to steer the ship through a violent storm. When all seemed lost and the ship would surely sink, he exclaimed, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” Later in his cabin he reflected on what he had said and began to believe that God had addressed Him through the storm and the grace had begun to work for him.

After 1755, Newton started his services to God. With his service’s partner, their goal was to write a new hymn for each one. Among his contribution which are still loved today are “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sound”, Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”, as well as “Amazing Grace”.



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