Hymns for Reformation Sunday

Lutheran and many Reformed churches keep Reformation Sunday on the last Sunday of October, close to October 31, the day in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses. It is a day to give thanks for the recovery of the gospel of grace and for the gift of Scripture in the language of the people — and for a congregation's own voice in worship. The Reformers put hymns and Psalms back into the mouths of ordinary believers, and the songs on this page come out of that conviction.

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is the hymn most churches choose for the day, and the version here is the English translation American congregations know best. Alongside it are other chorales from the German churches, many in Catherine Winkworth's careful nineteenth-century translations: “Now Thank We All Our God,” “If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee” and “Jesus, Priceless Treasure.” The Reformed churches sang the Psalms in meter, and “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” and “The Lord's My Shepherd” carry that tradition. The last group gathers hymns about the Word of God and the church built on it.

Every text is in the public domain in the United States, taken from a hymnal printed before 1931 (several come from the American Lutheran Hymnal of 1930), so you may print, project and record them freely. Use “Print all lyrics” for a single sheet.