Psalms and Hymns to the Living God ‎#292

292. 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 light 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 upon 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!

Text Information

• First Line: Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bands
• Title: Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands
• Author: Martin Luther (1524)
• Translator: Richard Massie (1854, alt.)
• Meter: 87 87 78 74
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2023
• Topic: Jesus Christ: Resurrection and Exaltation
• Source: Victimae Paschali

Tune Information

• Name: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
• Adapter: Johann Walther (1524)
• Meter: 87 87 78 74
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: Latin melody, c. 1100