Carlyle, who refers to Luther as "perhaps the most inspired of all teachers since the Apostles," has given us the most rugged of all translations of the Reformer's great hymn. There are said to be no less than eighty English translations, but only a few have met with popular favor. In England the version by Carlyle is in general use, while in America various composite translations are found in hymn-books. Carlyle's first stanza reads A sure stronghold our God is He, A trusty Shield and Weapon; Our help He'll be, and set us free From every ill can happen. That old malicious foe Intends us deadly woe; Armed with might from hell And deepest craft as well, On earth is not his fellow. The greater number of Luther's hymns are not original. Many are paraphrases of Scripture, particularly the Psalms, and others are based on Latin, Greek, and German antecedents. In every instance, however, the great Reformer so imbued them with his own fervent faith and militant spirit that they seem to shine with a new luster. The hymns of Luther most frequently found in hymn-books today are "Come, Thou Saviour of our race," "Good news from heaven the angels bring," "In death's strong grasp the Saviour lay," "Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord," "Come, Holy Spirit, from above," "Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy word," "Lord, Jesus Christ, to Thee we pray," "Dear Christians, one and all rejoice," "Out of the depths I cry to Thee," and "We all believe in one true God." A Metrical Gloria in Excelsis All glory be to Thee, Most High, To Thee all adoration! In grace and truth Thou drawest nigh To offer us salvation. Thou showest Thy good will toward men, And peace shall reign on earth again; We praise Thy Name forever. We praise, we worship Thee, we trust, And give Thee thanks forever, O Father, for Thy rule is just And wise, and changes never. Thy hand almighty o'er us reigns, Thou doest what Thy will ordains; 'Tis well for us Thou rulest. O Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, Son of the Heavenly Father, O Thou, who hast our peace restored, The straying sheep dost gather, Thou Lamb of God, to Thee on high Out of the depths we sinners cry: Have mercy on us, Jesus! O Holy Ghost, Thou precious gift, Thou Comforter, unfailing, From Satan's snares our souls uplift, And let Thy power, availing, Avert our woes and calm our dread; For us the Saviour's blood was shed, We trust in Thee to save us! Nicolaus Decius, 1526, 1539 THE HYMN-WRITERS OF THE REFORMATION The hymns of the Reformation were like a trumpet call, proclaiming to all the world that the day of spiritual emancipation had come. What they lacked in poetic refinement they more than made up by their tremendous earnestness and spiritual exuberance.