Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) ‎#279

279. 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 joyful 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!

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, cento)
• Translator: Richard Massie (1854; alt.; Alt. 1961)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.8.7.4.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1990
• Scripture:
  Acts 2:24
  ;
  1 Corinthians 5:8
• Topic: Bread of Life; Christ: Lamb of God; Post-Communion

Tune Information

• Name: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
• Arranger: Johann Walther (1524)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.8.7.4.
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: Medieval melody