The Lutheran Hymnal ‎#195

195. Christ Jesus lay in Death's Strong Bands

1 Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bands,
For our offenses given;
But now at God's right hand He stands
And brings us life from heaven;
Therefore let us joyful be
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

2 It was a strange and dreadful strife
When Life and Death contended;
The victory remained with Life,
The reign of Death was ended;
Holy Scripture plainly saith
That Death is swallowed up by Death,
His sting is lost forever.
Hallelujah!

3 Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree--
So strong His love!--to save us.
See, His blood doth mark our door;
Faith points to it, Death passes o'er,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Hallelujah!

4 So 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!

5 Then let us feast this Easter Day
On Christ, the Bread of heaven;
The Word of Grace 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!

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bands
• Title: Christ Jesus lay in Death's Strong Bands
• German Title: Christ lag inTodesbanden
• Author: Martin Luther (1524, cento)
• Translator: Richard Massie (1854, alt.)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.8.7.4.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1941
• Scripture:
  Acts 2:24
• Topic: The Church Year: Easter

Tune Information

• Name: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.8.7.4.
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: "Christ is erstanden," Latin melody, c. 1100 (based on)