Music - Sunday 31 October, 2021 – Reformation Sunday

The following songs and hymns have some basis in Psalm 46 – although none of them are actually paraphrases of the psalm itself.
LHS
195    A mighty fortress* (* modernised version available) G3
854    Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side
AT
9    Be still and know that I am God
As the reader speaks the verses of Psalm 46, the congregation may respond after every few verses with the singing of the first verse of ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (LHS 885, ATN 9).
311    Be still and know that I am God  Most appropriate for an opening song.
339    In you, O Lord, I found refuge
458    God is our refuge and strength
TIS
103    A mighty fortress

The following paraphrase of Psalm 46, by David Schütz, may be sung to the tune of ‘A mighty fortress’ (LH 195, TIS 103). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

God is our refuge and our strength
a present help in trouble.
And so we will not be afraid,
though all the earth may tremble.
Though mountains may fall,
though seas roar and foam,
though all the earth quakes,
still we are not afraid.
The Lord of hosts is with us!

A flowing river brings great joy
throughout God’s holy city,
for God himself is always there,
and it will not be shaken.
God’s help comes at dawn,
the nations will roar,
the kingdoms will fall,
his voice will melt the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us!

O come and see the fearsome things
the Lord has made to happen.
He makes wars cease; he shatters shields;
he breaks the spears and arrows.
‘Now be still, and know
that I am your God.
Throughout all the earth,
I am exalted high!’
The Lord of hosts is with us!

OR, the following paraphrase by David Schütz may be sung to the tune of ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (LHS 885, ATN 9). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

A mighty fortress is our God,
A mighty fortress is our God,
A mighty fortress is our God,

And so we will not be afraid;
and so we will not be afraid;
and so we will not be afraid.

The Lord of hosts is with us now,
The Lord of hosts is with us now,
The Lord of hosts is with us now.

He makes wars cease throughout the earth;
He makes wars cease throughout the earth;
He makes wars cease throughout the earth;’

‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
‘Be still, and know that I am God!’

Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings – Psalm 46 p79 , Psalm 46 p80 , Psalm 46 p81

Contemporary setting of Psalm 46 by Monique Costa.
The song ‘Everlasting God’ is based on Psalm 46 and was written particularly for congregations to sing.  It is useful as a general praise and/or proclamation of faith song and was used by some churches  to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The song echo’s the themes of Martin Luther’s ‘A mighty fortress is our God’ from our 21st century perspective and maintains the anthem feel of the original hymn.
Download free lead and choir scores and listen to the mp3 here.