Evangelical Lutheran Worship ‎#621

621. Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense

1 Jesus lives, my sure defense
and my everlasting Savior!
Knowing this, my confidence
rests in hope and will not waver,
though the night of death be fraught
still with many an anxious thought.

2 Jesus, my redeemer, lives;
I too unto life shall waken.
Bright the hope this promise gives;
shall my courage, then, be shaken?
Shall I fear then? Can the head
rise and leave his members dead?

3 No, too closely am I bound
unto him by hope forever;
faith's strong hand the rock has found,
grasped it, and will leave it never;
even death now cannot part
from its Lord the trusting heart.

4 I am flesh and must return
unto dust, whence I am taken.
But these eyes my Lord will know
when from death I shall awaken,
with my Savior to abide
in his glory, at his side.

5 Then take comfort and rejoice,
for his people Christ will cherish.
Fear not, they will hear his voice;
dying, they shall never perish;
for the very grave is stirred
when the trumpet's blast is heard.

6 Here on earth, then, let your hearts
rise from longings vain and hollow.
Seek what Christ your Lord imparts
while you in his footsteps follow.
As you now still wait to rise,
set your hearts beyond the skies!

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus lives, my sure defense
• Title: Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense
• Author: Otto von Schwerin, 1616-1679
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878 (alt.)
• Meter: 7 8 7 8 7 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2006
• Topic: Hope, Assurance; Easter; Journey, Pilgrimage

Tune Information

• Name: JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT
• Composer (attributed to): Johann Crüger, 1598-1662
• Meter: 7 8 7 8 7 7
• Key: C Major