The Hymns of Martin Luther: Part 3

by R.A. Miller
Published August 29th, 2022.

We are continuing our series exploring lesser-known hymns by Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer. The third song we are looking at is “Lord, Keep us Steadfast in Thy Word.” Originally published in 1542, this hymn is one of the many which was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth (1863). The sheet music for this song can be seen here.

The Psalter Hymnal Handbook gives us this insight:

In 1541 the Turkish army was threatening to take Vienna. The German rulers called for special prayers for safety from these Islamic forces. Martin Luther responded to this request by writing the original German text ("Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort") for a prayer service in Wittenberg. Convinced that the church was threatened not only by the Turkish army of Sultan Suleiman but also by the Roman Catholic Pope, Luther began his text as follows (English translation):

Lord, keep us in thy Word and work,

Restrain the murderous Pope and Turk,

Who fain would tear from off thy throne

Christ Jesus, thy beloved Son.

After these threats to the church subsided, the text was altered: it eliminated the reference to the Pope and Turk and referred generally to all enemies of the Word. The text was published in Low German in the Magdeburg Gesangbuch (1542) and in High German in Joseph Klug's Geistliche Lieder (1543). The English translation by Catherine Winkworth was published in her Chorale Book for England (1863).

The text is a fervent prayer in song cast into a Trinitarian mold. As we sing, we pray that God the Father will keep his kingdom from the powers of evil (st. 1), that God the Son will rule the church (st. 2), and that God the Spirit will bring peace and unity on earth and will support us in our "final [earthly] strife," the doorway to eternal life (st.3).

Here are the lyrics paired with some Scripture:

Lord, Keep us Steadfast in Thy Word

Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word;
curb those who by deceit or sword
would seek to overthrow your Son
and to destroy what he has done.

2 Lord Jesus Christ, your pow'r make known,
for you are Lord of lords alone;
defend your Christendom that we
may sing your praise eternally.

3 O Comforter of priceless worth,
send peace and unity on earth;
support us in our final strife
and lead us out of death to life.

Verses From the King James Version

Psalm 119:42 - “So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.”

Revelation 19:16 - “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.”

John 14:26 - “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost…”

These lyrics have a Trinitarian form and they pair well with Psalm 119. Hymnary.org lists 77 instances of this hymn being featured in hymnals, making it one of Luther’s most popular hymns, at least in English. While certainly not as popular as “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” this song is still sung in many congregations.