Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#93

93. In Death's strong grasp the Saviour lay

1 IN Death's strong grasp the Saviour lay,
For our offences given;
But now the Lord is risen to-day,
And brings us life from heaven.
Therefore let us all rejoice,
And praise our God with cheerful voice,
And sing loud Hallelujahs.
Hallelujah!

2 No son of man could conquer Death,
Such mischief sin had wrought us,
For innocence dwelt not on earth,
And therefore, Death had brought us
Into thralldom from of old,
And ever grew more strong and bold,
And kept us in his bondage.
Hallelujah!

3 But Jesus Christ, God's only Son,
To our low state descended,
The cause of Death he has undone,
His power forever ended,
Ruined all his right and claim,
And left him nothing but the name,--
His sting is lost forever.
Hallelujah!

4 It was a strange and dreadful fray,
When Death and Life contended;
But it was Life that won the day,
The reign of Death was ended.
Holy Scripture plainly saith,
That Death is swallowed up by Death,
Made henceforth a derision.
Hallelujah!

5 Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursèd tree,
So strong His love! to save us.
See! His blood doth mark our door,
Faith points to it, death passes o'er,
The Murderer can not harm us.
Hallelujah!

6 So let us keep the festival
With heartfelt exultation.
Christ is Himself the Joy of all,
The Sun of our salvation.
By His grace He doth impart
Eternal sunshine to the heart;
The night of sin is ended.
Hallelujah!

7 Then let us feast this Easter-day
On Christ, the Bread of heaven;
The Word of grade hath purged away
The old and evil leaven;
Christ alone our souls will feed,
He is our meat and drink, indeed;
Faith lives upon no other.
Hallelujah!

Text Information

• First Line: In Death's strong grasp the Saviour lay
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 7, 4.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1893
• Topic: Easter
• Notes: Comp.; German: Christ lag in Todes Banden - Dr. M. Luther, 1524

Tune Information

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