“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
    A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
    And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe.
    With craft and dreadful might
    He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.

2 No strength of ours can match his might.
    We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
    Whom God Himself elected.
You ask who this may be?
The Lord of hosts is He,
    Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
    God’s only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.

4 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!

Text: tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978
Text and tune: Martin Luther, 1483–1546
Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005077
Tune: Public domain

“Doxology: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

D 1 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
    Amen.

Text: Thomas Ken, 1637–1711; Tune: Trente quatre Pseaumes de David, 1551, Geneva, ed. Louis Bourgeois; Text and tune: Public domain

“Thy Strong Word” by John A. Behnke

1 Thy strong word did cleave the darkness;
    At Thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank Thee,
    While Thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Alleluia without end!

2 Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness,
    Dark as night and deep as death,
Broke the light of Thy salvation,
    Breathed Thine own life-breathing breath.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Alleluia without end!

3 Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous;
    Bright with Thine own holiness,
Glorious now, we press toward glory,
    And our lives our hopes confess.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Alleluia without end!

4 From the cross Thy wisdom shining
    Breaketh forth in conqu’ring might;
From the cross forever beameth
    All Thy bright redeeming light.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Alleluia without end!

5 Give us lips to sing Thy glory,
    Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim,
Throats that shout the hope that fills us,
    Mouths to speak Thy holy name.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    May the light which Thou dost send
Fill our songs with alleluias,
    Alleluias without end!

D 6 God the Father, light-creator,
    To Thee laud and honor be.
To Thee, Light of Light begotten,
    Praise be sung eternally.
Holy Spirit, light-revealer,
    Glory, glory be to Thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever
    Praise the holy Trinity!

Text: Martin H. Franzmann, 1907–76; Tune: Thomas J. Williams, 1869–1944; Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005077; Tune: Public domain

“Toccata on Amazing Grace” by J. Christopher Pardini

1 Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—
    That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
    Was blind but now I see!

2 The Lord has promised good to me,
    His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
    As long as life endures.

3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares
    I have already come;
His grace has brought me safe thus far,
    His grace will lead me home.

4 Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
    And mortal life shall cease,
Amazing grace shall then prevail
    In heaven’s joy and peace.

5 When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
    Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
    Than when we’d first begun.

Text (sts. 1–4): John Newton, 1725–1807, alt.; (st. 5): A Collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790, Richmond; Tune: Columbian Harmony, 1829, Cincinnati; Text and tune: Public domain

“Praise to the Lord the Almighty”

1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
    Let all who hear
    Now to His temple draw near,
Joining in glad adoration!

2 Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things is wondrously reigning
And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
    Have you not seen
    All that is needful has been
Sent by His gracious ordaining?

3 Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully, wondrously, made you,
Health has bestowed and, when heedlessly falling, has stayed you.
    What need or grief
    Ever has failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade you.

4 Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
    Ponder anew
    What the Almighty can do
As with His love He befriends you.

5 Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
    Let the Amen
    Sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him!

Text: Joachim Neander, 1650–80; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt.; Tune: Ander Theil Des Erneuerten Gesang-Buchs, 1665, Stralsund; Text and tune: Public domain