American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#444

444. Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense

1 Jesus Christ, my sure Defense
And my Savior, ever liveth;
Knowing this, my confidence
Rests upon the hope it giveth,
Though the night of death be fraught
Still with many an anxious thought.

2 Jesus, my Redeemer, lives;
I, too, unto life must waken.
Endless joy my Savior gives;
Shall my courage then be shaken?
Shall I fear, or could the Head
Rise and leave His members dead?

3 Nay, too closely am I bound
To my Lord by hope forever.
Faith's strong hand the Rock has found,
Grasped it and will leave it never.
Now not even death can part
From its Lord the trusting heart.

4 Savior, draw away our heart
Now from pleasures base and hollow;
Let us there with Thee have part,
Here on earth Thy footsteps follow.
Fix our hearts beyond the skies,
Whither we ourselves would rise.

5 Laugh to scorn the gloomy grave
And at death no longer tremble.
He who came the world to save
Will at last His own assemble.
They will go their Lord to meet,
Leaving death beneath their feet.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus Christ, my sure Defense
• Title: Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)
• Author: Louise Henrietta von Brandenburg (1653)
• Meter: 7 8 7 8 7 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Church Year: Easter

Tune Information

• Name: BRANDENBURG
• Composer: J. Crüger
• Meter: 7 8 7 8 7 7
• Key: C Major
• Source: German chorale: Jesus meine Zuversicht