A Mighty Fortress (2023)
Kamera: Olympus Pen D3
Linse: F.Zuiko f1.7 / 32mm
Film: Kodak 5222 @ ISO 400
Kjemi: Xtol (stock / 9 min. @ 23°C)
Monday 25 December 2023 - Christmas Day: Today is a special day for everyone around the world celebrating Christmas. Because even today we are still witnessing the ongoing massive Israeli bombing of innocent defenseless civilians in Gaza and Israel´s unjust brutal military occupation of the West Bank and Bethlehem where Christ was born.
So today, I want to give all of you who are oppressed a story for inspiration and a powerful song to accompany it.
During the Nazi occupation of Norway 1940-1945 there were many ways of showing civilian resistance. Wearing a paper clip as a lapel pin was one of them. "We hold together". But the most powerful - and peaceful - civilian display of resistance right in the face of the Nazis happened in my town, Trondheim, on the 1st of February 1942.
On this day, the Nazis were celebrating their installment of norwegian fascist leader Vidkun Quisling (1887-1945) as "Minister President" (Prime Minister) of Norway. For this occasion the Nazis were using the Cathedral in my town, a national symbol, for their ceremonies.
Inside this Cathedral in Trondheim, Olav the Eternal King and National Saint of Norway is buried. Today, it is only in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem that you will find the most ancient rendition of Saint Olav.
So, in 1942 bishop Arne Fjellbu (1890-1962) had been asked to hold a sermon for the Nazis but he refused. Instead, he let people know about what was happening and people started gathering in the thousands outside the Cathedral before the police managed to arrive. As the Nazi celebration was going on; outside in the courtyard the bishop and 4000 people started loudly singing Martin Luther´s (1483-1546) strong and powerful protestant battle hymn of hope, resistance, fighting evil and oppression - 'A Mighty Fortress is our God'. The message to the Nazis was very clear:
We shall never surrender!
I hope these words can still inspire - here are the lyrics in several languages - including strong Norwegian and original German:
Martin Luther: A Mighty Fortress is our God (1529)
In English:
A Mighty Fortress is our God
1
A mighty Fortress is our God,
a Bulwark never failing;
our Helper He, amid the Flood
of Mortal ills prevailing.
For still our Ancient Foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His Craft and Pow'r are great,
and Armed with cruel Hate,
on Earth is not his Equal.
2
Did we in our own Strength confide,
Our Striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His name,
from Age to Age the same;
And He must win the Battle!
3
And though this World, with Devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not Fear, for God has willed
his Truth to Triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we Tremble not for Him;
His Rage we can endure,
for Lo! his Doom is sure;
One little Word shall fell Him.
4
That Word above all Earthly Pow´rs
No thanks to them Abideth
the Spirit and the Gifts are ours
Thru Him who with us sideth
Let Goods and Kindred go!
This Mortal Life also!
The Body they may kil!l
God´s Truth Abideth still!
His Kingdom is forever!
In Norwegian:
Vår Gud han er så fast en Borg
1
Vår Gud han er så fast en borg,
han er vårt skjold og verge.
Han hjelper oss av nød og sorg
og vet oss vel å berge.
Vår gamle fiende hård
til strid imot oss står.
Stor makt og arge list
han bruker mot oss visst.
På jord er ei hans like.
2
Vår egen makt er intet verd,
vi vare snart nedhugne,
men én går frem i denne ferd,
for ham må allting bugne.
Vil du hans navn få visst?
Han heter Jesus Krist,
den høvding for Guds hær,
i ham kun frelse er.
Han marken skal beholde!
3
Om verden full av djevler var
som ville oss oppsluke,
vi frykter ei, vi med oss har
den mann som dem kan true.
Er verdens fyrste vred
og vil oss støte ned,
han ingenting formår,
fordi alt dømt han går.
Et Guds ord kan ham binde.
4
Og Ordet skal de lade stå,
og utakk dertil have.
For Herren selv vil med oss gå,
alt med sin Ånd og gave.
Og tok de enn vårt liv!
gods, ære, barn og viv!
la fare hen, la gå!
De kan ei mere få!
Guds rike vi beholder!
In German:
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
1
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott,
ein gute Wehr und Waffen.
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not,
die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
Der alt böse Feind mit Ernst
ers jetzt meint;
groß Macht und viel List
sein grausam Rüstung ist,
auf Erd ist nicht seinsgleichen.
2
Mit unsrer Macht ist nichts getan,
wir sind gar bald verloren;
es streit' für uns der rechte Mann,
den Gott hat selbst erkoren.
Fragst du, wer der ist?
Er heißt Jesus Christ,
der Herr Zebaoth,
und ist kein andrer Gott,
das Feld muß er behalten.
3
Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel wär,
und wollt uns gar verschlingen,
so fürchten wir und nicht so sehr,
es soll uns doch gelingen.
Der Fürst dieser Welt,
wie saur er sich stellt,
tut er uns doch nicht;
das macht, er ist gericht':
Ein Wörtlein kann ihn fällen.
4
Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn
und kein' Dank dazu haben;
er ist bei uns wohl auf dem Plan
mit seinem Geist und Gaben.
Nehmen sie den Leib!
Gut, Ehr, Kind und Weib!
Laß fahren dahin!
sie habens kein' Gewinn!
das Reich muß uns doch bleiben!
In French:
C'est un rempart que notre Dieu
1
C'est un rempart que notre Dieu :
Si l'on nous fait injure,
Son bras puissant nous tiendra lieu
Et de fort et d'armure
L'ennemi contre nous
Redouble de courroux :
Vaine colère !
Que pourrait l'adversaire ?
L'Eternel détourne ses coups
2
Seuls, nous bronchons à chaque pas,
Notre force est faiblesse.
Mais un héros, dans les combats,
Pour nous lutte sans cesse.
Quel est ce défenseur ?
C'est toi, puissant Seigneur,
Dieu des armées !
Tes tribus opprimées
Connaissent leur libérateur.
3
Que les démons forgent des fers
Pour accabler l'Église,
Ta cité* brave les enfers,
Sur le rocher assise !
Constant dans son effort,
En vain, avec la mort,
Satan conspire :
Pour briser son empire,
Il suffit d'un mot du Dieu fort !
4
Dis-le, ce mot victorieux,
Dans toutes nos détresses !
Répands sur nous du haut des cieux
Tes divines largesses.
Qu'on nous ôte nos biens,
Qu'on serre nos liens,
Que nous importe ?
Ta grâce est la plus forte,
Et ton royaume est pour les tiens.
In Portuguese:
Castelo Forte é nosso Deus
1
Castelo forte é nosso Deus.
Espada e bom escudo;
Com seu poder defende os seus
Em todo transe agudo.
Com fúria pertinaz
Persegue Satanás,
Com artimanhas tais
E astúcias tão cruéis,
Que iguais não há na terra.
2
A nossa força nada faz,
Estamos, sim, perdidos;
Mas nosso Deus socorro traz
E somos protegidos.
Defende-nos Jesus,
O que venceu na cruz,
Senhor dos altos céus;
E, sendo o próprio Deus,
Triunfa na batalha.
3
Se nos quisessem devorar
Demônios não contados,
Não nos podiam assustar,
Nem somos derrotados.
O grande acusador
Dos servos do Senhor
Já condenado está;
Vencido cairá
Por uma só palavra.
4
Sim, que a palavra ficará,
Sabemos com certeza,
E nada nos assustará
Com Cristo por defesa.
Se temos de perder
Filhos, bens, mulher;
Embora a vida vá,
Por nós Jesus está
E dar-nos-á seu reino.
In Spanish:
Castillo fuerte es nuestro Dios
1
Castillo fuerte es nuestro Dios.
Defensa y buen escudo;
Con su poder nos librará
En todo trance agudo.
Con furia y con afán
Acósanos Satán,
Por armas deja ver
Astucia y gran poder;
Cual él no hay en la tierra.
2
Nuestro valor es nada aquí,
Con él todo es perdido;
Mas con nosotros luchará
De Dios, el escogido.
Es nuestro Rey Jesús,
Él que venció en la cruz,
Señor y Salvador,
Y siendo él solo Dios,
Él triunfa en la batalla
3
Y si demonios mil están
Prontos a devorarnos
No temeremos, porque Dios
Sabrá cómo ampararnos.
Que muestre su vigor
Satán, y su furor
Dañarnos no podrá,
Pues condenado es ya
Por la Palabra Santa.
4
Esa palabra del Señor,
Que el mundo no apetece,
Por el Espíritu de Dios
Muy firme permanece.
Nos pueden despojar
De bienes, nombre, hogar,
El cuerpo destruir,
Mas siempre ha de existir
De Dios el reino eterno.
In Japanese:
神はわがやぐら
1
神はわがやぐら
わが強き盾
苦しめるときの
近き助けぞ
おのが力
おのが知恵を
たのみとせる
よみのおさぞ
げにおぞましき
2
いかに強くとも
いかでか頼まん
やがてはくつべき
人のちからを
われとともに
たたかいたもう
イエスきみこそ
万軍ばんぐんの主なる
あまつおお神
3
悪鬼おには[2]世にみちて
よしおどすとも
神のまことこそ
わがうちにあれ
よみのおさよ
ほえたけりて
せまりくとも
主のさばきは
なが上にあり
4
くらきのちからの
よしふせぐとも
主のみことばこそ
すすみにすすめ
わがいのちも
わが妻子[3]つまこも
とらばとりね
神の国は
なおわれにあり
A Mighty Fortress (2023)
Kamera: Olympus Pen D3
Linse: F.Zuiko f1.7 / 32mm
Film: Kodak 5222 @ ISO 400
Kjemi: Xtol (stock / 9 min. @ 23°C)
Monday 25 December 2023 - Christmas Day: Today is a special day for everyone around the world celebrating Christmas. Because even today we are still witnessing the ongoing massive Israeli bombing of innocent defenseless civilians in Gaza and Israel´s unjust brutal military occupation of the West Bank and Bethlehem where Christ was born.
So today, I want to give all of you who are oppressed a story for inspiration and a powerful song to accompany it.
During the Nazi occupation of Norway 1940-1945 there were many ways of showing civilian resistance. Wearing a paper clip as a lapel pin was one of them. "We hold together". But the most powerful - and peaceful - civilian display of resistance right in the face of the Nazis happened in my town, Trondheim, on the 1st of February 1942.
On this day, the Nazis were celebrating their installment of norwegian fascist leader Vidkun Quisling (1887-1945) as "Minister President" (Prime Minister) of Norway. For this occasion the Nazis were using the Cathedral in my town, a national symbol, for their ceremonies.
Inside this Cathedral in Trondheim, Olav the Eternal King and National Saint of Norway is buried. Today, it is only in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem that you will find the most ancient rendition of Saint Olav.
So, in 1942 bishop Arne Fjellbu (1890-1962) had been asked to hold a sermon for the Nazis but he refused. Instead, he let people know about what was happening and people started gathering in the thousands outside the Cathedral before the police managed to arrive. As the Nazi celebration was going on; outside in the courtyard the bishop and 4000 people started loudly singing Martin Luther´s (1483-1546) strong and powerful protestant battle hymn of hope, resistance, fighting evil and oppression - 'A Mighty Fortress is our God'. The message to the Nazis was very clear:
We shall never surrender!
I hope these words can still inspire - here are the lyrics in several languages - including strong Norwegian and original German:
Martin Luther: A Mighty Fortress is our God (1529)
In English:
A Mighty Fortress is our God
1
A mighty Fortress is our God,
a Bulwark never failing;
our Helper He, amid the Flood
of Mortal ills prevailing.
For still our Ancient Foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His Craft and Pow'r are great,
and Armed with cruel Hate,
on Earth is not his Equal.
2
Did we in our own Strength confide,
Our Striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His name,
from Age to Age the same;
And He must win the Battle!
3
And though this World, with Devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not Fear, for God has willed
his Truth to Triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we Tremble not for Him;
His Rage we can endure,
for Lo! his Doom is sure;
One little Word shall fell Him.
4
That Word above all Earthly Pow´rs
No thanks to them Abideth
the Spirit and the Gifts are ours
Thru Him who with us sideth
Let Goods and Kindred go!
This Mortal Life also!
The Body they may kil!l
God´s Truth Abideth still!
His Kingdom is forever!
In Norwegian:
Vår Gud han er så fast en Borg
1
Vår Gud han er så fast en borg,
han er vårt skjold og verge.
Han hjelper oss av nød og sorg
og vet oss vel å berge.
Vår gamle fiende hård
til strid imot oss står.
Stor makt og arge list
han bruker mot oss visst.
På jord er ei hans like.
2
Vår egen makt er intet verd,
vi vare snart nedhugne,
men én går frem i denne ferd,
for ham må allting bugne.
Vil du hans navn få visst?
Han heter Jesus Krist,
den høvding for Guds hær,
i ham kun frelse er.
Han marken skal beholde!
3
Om verden full av djevler var
som ville oss oppsluke,
vi frykter ei, vi med oss har
den mann som dem kan true.
Er verdens fyrste vred
og vil oss støte ned,
han ingenting formår,
fordi alt dømt han går.
Et Guds ord kan ham binde.
4
Og Ordet skal de lade stå,
og utakk dertil have.
For Herren selv vil med oss gå,
alt med sin Ånd og gave.
Og tok de enn vårt liv!
gods, ære, barn og viv!
la fare hen, la gå!
De kan ei mere få!
Guds rike vi beholder!
In German:
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
1
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott,
ein gute Wehr und Waffen.
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not,
die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
Der alt böse Feind mit Ernst
ers jetzt meint;
groß Macht und viel List
sein grausam Rüstung ist,
auf Erd ist nicht seinsgleichen.
2
Mit unsrer Macht ist nichts getan,
wir sind gar bald verloren;
es streit' für uns der rechte Mann,
den Gott hat selbst erkoren.
Fragst du, wer der ist?
Er heißt Jesus Christ,
der Herr Zebaoth,
und ist kein andrer Gott,
das Feld muß er behalten.
3
Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel wär,
und wollt uns gar verschlingen,
so fürchten wir und nicht so sehr,
es soll uns doch gelingen.
Der Fürst dieser Welt,
wie saur er sich stellt,
tut er uns doch nicht;
das macht, er ist gericht':
Ein Wörtlein kann ihn fällen.
4
Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn
und kein' Dank dazu haben;
er ist bei uns wohl auf dem Plan
mit seinem Geist und Gaben.
Nehmen sie den Leib!
Gut, Ehr, Kind und Weib!
Laß fahren dahin!
sie habens kein' Gewinn!
das Reich muß uns doch bleiben!
In French:
C'est un rempart que notre Dieu
1
C'est un rempart que notre Dieu :
Si l'on nous fait injure,
Son bras puissant nous tiendra lieu
Et de fort et d'armure
L'ennemi contre nous
Redouble de courroux :
Vaine colère !
Que pourrait l'adversaire ?
L'Eternel détourne ses coups
2
Seuls, nous bronchons à chaque pas,
Notre force est faiblesse.
Mais un héros, dans les combats,
Pour nous lutte sans cesse.
Quel est ce défenseur ?
C'est toi, puissant Seigneur,
Dieu des armées !
Tes tribus opprimées
Connaissent leur libérateur.
3
Que les démons forgent des fers
Pour accabler l'Église,
Ta cité* brave les enfers,
Sur le rocher assise !
Constant dans son effort,
En vain, avec la mort,
Satan conspire :
Pour briser son empire,
Il suffit d'un mot du Dieu fort !
4
Dis-le, ce mot victorieux,
Dans toutes nos détresses !
Répands sur nous du haut des cieux
Tes divines largesses.
Qu'on nous ôte nos biens,
Qu'on serre nos liens,
Que nous importe ?
Ta grâce est la plus forte,
Et ton royaume est pour les tiens.
In Portuguese:
Castelo Forte é nosso Deus
1
Castelo forte é nosso Deus.
Espada e bom escudo;
Com seu poder defende os seus
Em todo transe agudo.
Com fúria pertinaz
Persegue Satanás,
Com artimanhas tais
E astúcias tão cruéis,
Que iguais não há na terra.
2
A nossa força nada faz,
Estamos, sim, perdidos;
Mas nosso Deus socorro traz
E somos protegidos.
Defende-nos Jesus,
O que venceu na cruz,
Senhor dos altos céus;
E, sendo o próprio Deus,
Triunfa na batalha.
3
Se nos quisessem devorar
Demônios não contados,
Não nos podiam assustar,
Nem somos derrotados.
O grande acusador
Dos servos do Senhor
Já condenado está;
Vencido cairá
Por uma só palavra.
4
Sim, que a palavra ficará,
Sabemos com certeza,
E nada nos assustará
Com Cristo por defesa.
Se temos de perder
Filhos, bens, mulher;
Embora a vida vá,
Por nós Jesus está
E dar-nos-á seu reino.
In Spanish:
Castillo fuerte es nuestro Dios
1
Castillo fuerte es nuestro Dios.
Defensa y buen escudo;
Con su poder nos librará
En todo trance agudo.
Con furia y con afán
Acósanos Satán,
Por armas deja ver
Astucia y gran poder;
Cual él no hay en la tierra.
2
Nuestro valor es nada aquí,
Con él todo es perdido;
Mas con nosotros luchará
De Dios, el escogido.
Es nuestro Rey Jesús,
Él que venció en la cruz,
Señor y Salvador,
Y siendo él solo Dios,
Él triunfa en la batalla
3
Y si demonios mil están
Prontos a devorarnos
No temeremos, porque Dios
Sabrá cómo ampararnos.
Que muestre su vigor
Satán, y su furor
Dañarnos no podrá,
Pues condenado es ya
Por la Palabra Santa.
4
Esa palabra del Señor,
Que el mundo no apetece,
Por el Espíritu de Dios
Muy firme permanece.
Nos pueden despojar
De bienes, nombre, hogar,
El cuerpo destruir,
Mas siempre ha de existir
De Dios el reino eterno.
In Japanese:
神はわがやぐら
1
神はわがやぐら
わが強き盾
苦しめるときの
近き助けぞ
おのが力
おのが知恵を
たのみとせる
よみのおさぞ
げにおぞましき
2
いかに強くとも
いかでか頼まん
やがてはくつべき
人のちからを
われとともに
たたかいたもう
イエスきみこそ
万軍ばんぐんの主なる
あまつおお神
3
悪鬼おには[2]世にみちて
よしおどすとも
神のまことこそ
わがうちにあれ
よみのおさよ
ほえたけりて
せまりくとも
主のさばきは
なが上にあり
4
くらきのちからの
よしふせぐとも
主のみことばこそ
すすみにすすめ
わがいのちも
わが妻子[3]つまこも
とらばとりね
神の国は
なおわれにあり