The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through
music. —Martin Luther
This Sunday marks the annual observance of Reformation Sunday, when we remember with thanksgiving God’s hand
of providence in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, the German monk who launched the
Reformation by posting 95 theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, had a prolific engagement with music
and poetry. Hymnals which included either tunes or texts by Luther appeared as early as 1524, and he worked closely
with Johann Walter (the composer of CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN) to prepare music for a German language
worship service. Luther famously wrote both the music and text of A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (a paraphrase of Psalm
46), but he also provided the poetry for Christ Jesus Lay In Death’s Strong Bands and Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Thy
Word and adapted a previously existing folk song for use with his Christmas hymn, From Heaven On High (all of which
we’ll sing this morning). He also believed that music and singing were such vital practices for the Christian that he
greatly encouraged the development of musical education in the emerging German states—an effort that certainly
encouraged the flowering of German musical culture in the following centuries, an example of theology working its way
out in the life of a people. —Henry C. Haffner
