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 bondage from of old,
And ever grew more strong and bold,
And kept us in his prison.
Hallelujah!
3 But Jesus Christ, God's only Son,
Hath come to conquer for us,
Hath put away our sins, and won
Death's power and title o'er us.
But the form of death is left,
For his sting he is bereft,
His power is lost forever.
Hallelujah!
4 It was a strange and wondrous fray,
When life and death contended;
The Lord of life hath won the day,
The reign of death was ended;
Yea, 'tis as the Scripture saith,
That Christ in dying conquered death,
So that we now may scorn him.
Hallelujah!
5 Here real Paschal Lamb is He,
Whom God the Father gave us,
Who died on the accursed tree,
O wondrous love! to save us.
See! His blood doth marks our door,
Faith points to it, death passes o'er,
The murderer cannot harm us.
Hallelujah!
6 Then let us keep the festival
Whereto the Lord invites us;
Christ is himself the joy of all,
The Sun that warms and lights us:
By His grace He doth impart
Eternal sunshine to the heart;
The night of sin is ended.
Hallelujah!
7 Thus let us feast this Easter-day
On Christ, the Bread of heaven;
The word of grace hath done away
The old and evil leaven;
Christ Himself our souls will feed,
He is our meat and drink indeed;
Faith lives upon no other.
Hallelujah!