How German/English rhyme "Might Fortress is our God"?

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Stope

Puritan Board Sophomore
Im so confused. If A Mighty Fortress is our God was penned in German, how on earth is there such consistent rhyming?
 
Such is the art and craft of good translation... It is interesting to compare the version of Luther's hymn that we are most familiar with, with another English translation.

In doing so one can see how the same principle themes and ideas are clearly discernible in both, while they substantially differ in style, word choice and even sequence. Personally, I think the better of the two came to prominence...
 
Such is the art and craft of good translation... It is interesting to compare the version of Luther's hymn that we are most familiar with, with another English translation.

In doing so one can see how the same principle themes and ideas are clearly discernible in both, while they substantially differ in style, word choice and even sequence. Personally, I think the better of the two came to prominence...
FASCINATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!
 
When I was younger I was quite surprised to find out that the Lutherans sang a different rendition of the song than the one I knew. I learned this because I had become friends with an old retired Lutheran Pastor and another young man who was raised Lutheran in Southern Indiana. They preferred the wording in their hymnals over the common one most of us know.

I also found wikipedia to be very informative on the issue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Mighty_Fortress_Is_Our_God

A Mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need
That hath us now overtaken.
The Old evil foe
Now means deadly woe
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the valiant One,
Whom God himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is,
Of sabaoth Lord,
And there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.

Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
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’
On little world can fell him.

The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain
With his good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our victory has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.

Tim Challies has a good little blog about the Hymn.
http://www.challies.com/articles/hymn-stories-a-mighty-fortress-is-our-god
 
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