Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary ‎#532

532. 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 shall waken.
Endless joy my Savior gives;
Shall my courage, then, be shaken?
Shall I fear? How could the Head
Rise and leave His members dead?

3 Nay, too closely am I bound
Unto Him by hope forever;
Faith's strong hand the Rock hath found,
Grasped it, and will leave it never.
Even death now cannot part
From its Lord the trusting heart.

4 I am flesh and must return
Unto dust, whence I am taken;
But by faith I now discern
That from death I shall awaken
With my Savior to abide
In His glory, at His side.

5 Glorified, I shall anew
With this flesh then be enshrouded;
In this body I shall view
God, my Lord, with eyes unclouded,
In this flesh I then shall see
Jesus Christ eternally.

6 Then these eyes my Lord shall know,
My Redeemer and my Brother;
In His love my soul shall glow
I myself, and not another!
Then the weakness I feel here
Shall forever disappear.

7 They who sorrow here and moan
There in gladness shall be reigning;
Earthly here the seed is sown,
There immortal life attaining.
Here our sinful bodies die,
Glorified to dwell on high.

8 Then take comfort and rejoice,
For His members Christ will cherish.
Fear not, they will hear His voice;
Dying, they shall never perish;
For the very grave is stirred
When the trumpet's blast is heard.

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

10 O that ye would set your hearts
High above all earthy pleasures.
Take instead what He imparts
Who hath giv'n you lasting treasures.
There your heart's affections give
Where ye shall forever live.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus Christ, my sure Defense
• Title: Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense
• German Title: Jesus, meine Zuversicht
• Translator (sts. 1-3): C. Winkworth, 1827-78 (alt.)
• Meter: 78 78 77
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: End Times; Trinity 25
• Source: D. M. Luthers…Geistliche Lider und Psalmen, Berlin, 1653; The Lutheran Hymnal, St. Louis, 1941 (tr. sts. 4-10)

Tune Information

• Name: JESUS, MIENE ZUBERSICHT
• Composer: J. Crüger, 1598-1662
• Meter: 78 78 77
• Key: C Major