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 for ever. 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.
Scripture:Acts 2:24; 1 Corinthians 5:8
Topic:Bread of Life; Jesus Christ | His Resurrection; Christ | Lamb of God; Christ | Priestly Intercession of; Post-Communion
Language:English
Tune information
Tune name:CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
Arranger:Johann Walther (1524)
Meter:8.7.8.7.7.8.7.4.
Key:a minor
Source:Medieval melody

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