A Safe Stronghold Our God is Still

[Verse 1]

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 risen with purpose fell;

Strong mail of craft and power

He weareth in this hour;

On earth is not his fellow.



[Verse 2]

With force of arms we nothing can,

Full soon were we 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.



[Verse 3]

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 e’er he will,

He harms us not a whit;

For why? — his doom is writ;

A word shall quickly slay him.



[Verse 4]

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, honor, children, wife,

Yet is their profit small;

These things shall vanish all:

The City of God remaineth!