Lutheran Book of Worship ‎#134

134. 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 says
That death is swallowed up by death,
Its 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 now marks our door;
Faith points to it; death passes o'er,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Hallelujah!

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.
Hallelujah!

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!
Hallelujah!

Text Information

• First Line: Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bands
• Title: Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands
• Translator: Richard Massie, 1800-1887 (alt.)
• Author: Martin Luther, 1483-1546
• Meter: 87 87 78 74
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1978
• Topic: Easter; Easter Day

Tune Information

• Name: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
• Meter: 87 87 78 74
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: J. Walther, Geistliche Gesangbüchlein, 1524