October Hymn: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word

Luther wrote this Reformation hymn for children. This fall as we look forward to Reformation Sunday, our families will sing it as our hymn of the month. As you read the words below consider the trinitarian structure:

Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy word:
Curb those who fain by craft or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Thy Son,
And set at naught all He hath done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Thy pow’r make known;
For Thou art Lord of lords alone:
Defend Thy Christendom, that we
May evermore sing praise to Thee.

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.

What a fitting prayer today as it was in 1541 when Luther penned it! Mark Birkholz  reflects that this hymn was written in the setting of political turmoil between the Holy Roman Empire and the Turkish Ottoman Empire. In fact, the subtitle to this hymn was  "A Children’s Hymn, to be Sung Against the Two Archenemies of Christ and His Holy Church, the Pope and Turk.”

Today, we do not face the direct threat of invasion, but there are certainly political and spiritual tensions in play.  What if our children went about declaring   “Thou  art Lord of lords alone”? What if they knew by heart that the Holy Spirit is the One able to "send peace and unity on earth”?  Oh, may we continue steadfastly in the Word of God. 

October Memory Verse

Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
(Jeremiah 15:16, ESV)