Against the two arch-enemies of Christ and his Holy Church (the Pope, the Turks, etc.)

The text was published for the first time in Wittenberg in 1543, and must have been composed between 1541 and 1543. It probably came about in the middle of 1542. The following events bear out this claim. In August 1541 the troops of Ferdinand of Habsburg were defeated at Ofen. Luther mentions this in several letters. In October that same year, the fleet of Charles V was destroyed by a storm off the coast of Argelia. In July 1542, the French King and the Turkish Sultan made an alliance against the Emperor. Shortly thereafter, a rumour was spread that the Pope had joined the Franco-Turkish alliance. Pope and Turk united to destroy Christendom; this meant the judgement of God. There is only one way out: prayer, especially the prayer of the innocents, the children. Hence, the reference to children that precedes the hymn.

In later years, the hymn was altered, specifically the second line of strophe 1, and can now also be found in Roman-Catholic hymnals.

1- Senhor, no Verbo nos mantém.
O turco e o papa, ó Deus, contém, que o Filho teu, Cristo, o Senhor,
do trono teu querem depor.

2- Jesus, demonstra o teu poder!
Ó Rei dos reis, vem proteger

O povo teu - que possa amar
E eternamente te louvar.

3- Espírito Consolador, Dá-nos união, fraterno amor!
Na angústia vem nos amparar, Da morte à vida nos guiar.