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The point is that Luther was saying, "Hey, lift your spirits! Be festive! Celebrate." How about the word "berg," traslated into English as "Fortress?" What does "berg" mean? In common street English anybody from New Jersey could tell you that "berg" refers to a place to live. "When I am 18 I'm going to get out of dis boig." Going more deeply into the meaning, it also reaches back to the ancient word for mountain. A mountain can be a fortess. That's true. But hidden in the subtleties of the word is the concept of the old English word "barrow," according to Oxford. That word really opens it up. A "barrow" is a burden bearer. So, next time you hear a choir or an orchestra lift up the great inspiration of "A Mighty Fortress is our God," think of it rather as "A Festive Burden Bearer is our dear Lord." Will that increase the thrill? I think so! -- Richard Palmquist Send email to frontoffice@truthradio.info with questions or comments about this subject. |
