Lutheran Worship ‎#123

123. 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 alleluia!
Alleluia!

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 says
That death is swallowed up by death,
Its sting is lost forever.
Alleluia!

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 now marks our door;
Faith points to it; death passes o’er,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Alleluia!

4 So let us keep the festival
To which the Lord invites us;
Christ is himself the joy of all,
The sun that warms and lights us.
Now his grace to us imparts
Eternal sunshine to our hearts;
The night of sin is ended.
Alleluia!

5 Then let us feast this Easter Day
On Christ, the bread of heaven;
The Word of grace has 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!
Alleluia!

Text Information

• First Line: Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bands
• Title: Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands
• Translator: Richard Massie, 1800-87 (alt.)
• Author: Martin Luther, 1483-1546
• Meter: 87 87 78 74
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1982
• Topic: Easter

Tune Information

• Name: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
• Composer: Johann Walter
• Meter: 87 87 78 74
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, 1524
• Copyright: Arrangement: Copyright Richard W. Gieseke. Used by permission.