Melody, 1526. Harmony by ERYTHRAEUS, 1608.
These things the seer Isaiah did befall:
In spirit he beheld the Lord of all
On a high throne, raised up in splendor bright,
His garment's border filled the choir with light.
Beside him stood two seraphim which had
Six wings, wherewith they both alike were clad;
With twain they hid their shining with twain
They hid their feet as with a flowing train,
And with the other twain they both did fly.
One to the other thus aloud did cry:
"Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!
Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!
Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!
His glory filleth all the trembling earth!"
With the loud cry the posts and thresholds shook,
And the whole house was filled with mist and smoke.
Jesaia, dem Propheten, das geschah,
Dass er im Geist den Herren sitzen sah
Auf einem hohen Thron, in hellem Glanz,
Seines Kleides Saum den Chor fuellet ganz.
Es stunden zween Seraph bei ihm daran,
Sechs Fluegel sah er eineu jeden han;
Mit zween verbargen sie ihr Antlitz klar,
Mit zween bedeckten sie die Fuesse gar,
Und mit den andern zween sie flogen frei;
Gen ander ruften sie mit grossem G'schrei:
"Heilig ist Gott, der Herre Zebaoth!
Heilig ist Gott, der Herre Zebaoth!
Heilig ist Gott, der Herre Zebaoth!
Sein' Ehr' die ganze Welt erfuellet hat!"
Von dem G'schrei zittert Schwell' und Balken gar,
Das Haus auch ganz voll Rauch und Nebel war.
XXVI. Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott.
Strong Tower and Refuge is our God.
PSALM XLVI.-"Deus noster refugium et virtus."
Melody, 1529.
1. Strong tower and refuge is our God,
Right goodly shield and weapon;
He helps us free in every need,
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil foe,
Means us deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dreaded arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
2. With our own might we nothing can,
Soon are we lost and fallen;
But for us fights the righteous man,
Whom God himself hath callen.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Chirst it is,
Our sole King and Lord,
As God of Hosts adored;
He holds the field foever.
3. Though earth all full of devils were,
Wide roaring to devour us;
Yet fear we no such grievous fear,
They shall not overpower us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none,
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
4. His Word they still shall let abide,
And little thank have for it;
Through all the fight he's on our side
With his good gifts and Spirit.
Take they then our life,
Wealth, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone,
No triumph have they won.
The kingdom ours remaineth.