The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 Sabbath 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
One little word 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
Let these all be gone
They yet have nothing won
The Kingdom our remaineth
The lyrics of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song, Mighty Fortress Is Our God, begin by praising God's might and strength. The song goes on to compare God to a fortress that provides protection to those who trust in Him. The lyrics also describe the power of the devil and how it can be overcome by the strength of God. The second verse speaks of the Valiant One, who is identified as Jesus Christ, and how His fight is for those who are trust in Him. The last verse assures that even if the devil takes everything, including one's own life, God's Kingdom will always remain.
Line by Line Meaning
A mighty Fortress is our God
God is a powerful protector
A trusty Shield and Weapon
God is a reliable shield and weapon
He helps us free from every need
God delivers us from every difficulty
That hath us now overtaken
That we are struggling with currently
The old evil Foe
The devil, who is our enemy from ancient times
Now means deadly woe
Who brings great harm to us
Deep guile and great might
He is cunning and powerful
Are his dread arms in fight
Weapons of his fear in battle
On Earth is not his equal
In this world, no one is as powerful as he is
With might of ours can naught be done
We can do nothing with our own strength
Soon were our loss effected
We would be defeated quickly
But for us fights the Valiant One
But Jesus Christ fights for us
Whom God Himself elected
That God Himself chose
Ask ye Who is this?
Do you ask who is he?
Jesus Christ it is
It's Jesus Christ
Of Sabbath Lord
Who is the Lord of the Sabbath
And there's none other God
There is no other God
He holds the field forever
He always prevails
Though devils all the world should fill
Even if the whole world is filled with demons
All eager to devour us
Who are all hungry to destroy us
We tremble not we fear no ill
We are not afraid, we do not fear anything bad
They shall not overpower us
They cannot defeat us
This world's prince may still
The ruler of this world may still
Scowl fierce as he will
Fierce as he might look
He can harm us none
He cannot harm us
He's judged the deed is done
He is already defeated
One little word can fell him
Just one word from God can destroy him
The Word they still shall let remain
They cannot take away the word of God
Nor any thanks have for it
They do not appreciate it
He's by our side upon the plain
God is by our side no matter where we are
With His good gifts and Spirit
He blesses us with His gifts and spirit
And take they our life
Even if they take our life
Goods fame child and wife
Our possessions, reputation, family
Let these all be gone
Even if we lose them all
They yet have nothing won
They still have not won anything
The Kingdom our remaineth
We still have the kingdom of God
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMMY CARROLL, MARTIN LUTHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
carol taurua
One of the best renditions of this wonderful hymn. May Our Lord be praised.
Mark Herron
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