Psalm 46: 8-11 - Our reading is the inspiration for tomorrow’s sermon
hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
The Psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength”
The careful
structure of the stanza is itself a poetic hedge against chaos:
God is our refuge and strength
The
earth changes
God is in the midst of the city, which
therefore shall not be moved
The nations are in
an uproar
God is our refuge
Here is how Luther himself explained its meaning:
First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains
its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One
that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans
10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the
heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not
kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified
One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This
is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a
white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives
(John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color
of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should
stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a
beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope,
not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize
that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness
is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is
the most valuable and precious metal.[1]
[1] (From: Letter from Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain)
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