In the bonds of Death He lay,
Who for our offense was slain,
But the Lord is risen today,
Christ hath brought us life again.
Wherefore let us all rejoice,
Singing loud with a cheerful voice
Hallelujah!

Of the sons of men was none
Who could break the bonds of Death,
Sin this mischief dire had done,
Innocent was none on earth;
Wherefore Death grew strong and bold,
Death would all men captive hold.
Hallelujah!

Jesus Christ, God's only Son,
Came at last our foe to smite,
All our sins away hath done,
Done away Death's power and right,
Only the form of Death is left,
Of his sting he is bereft;
Hallelujah.

92
'Twas a wondrous war, I trow,
When Life and Death together fought;
But life hath triumphed o'er his foe,
Death is mocked and set at nought;
Yea, 'tis as the Scripture saith,
Christ through death has conquered Death.
Hallelujah.

Now our Paschal Lamb is He,
And by Him alone we live,
Who to death upon the tree,
For our sake Himself did give.
Faith His blood strikes on our door,
Death dares never harm us more.
Hallelujah.

On this day most blest of days,
Let us keep high festival,
For our God hath showed His grace,
And our Sun hath risen on us all,
And our hearts rejoice to see
Sin and night before Him flee.
Hallelujah.

To the supper of the Lord,
Gladly we will come today,
The word of peace is now restored,
The old leaven is put away;
Christ will be our food alone,
Faith no life but His doth own.
Hallelujah.

Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year, 1861

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Acts 2:24
st. 2 = 1 Cor. 15:54-55, Isa. 25:8, Hos. 13:14
st. 4 = 1 Cor. 5:7-8

In preparing songs for congregational singing during the early years of the Reformation, Martin Luther (PHH 336) often turned to earlier sources. His intention with this chorale, published in the Erfurt Enchiridia (1524), was to "improve" an older German hymn–"Christ ist erstanden"–that was in turn based on a medieval sequence, "Victimae Paschali laudes," attributed to Wipo, chaplain to Emperor Henry III (1017¬-1056). Luther drew more on the original Latin text than on the German.

The English translation by Richard Massie (b. Chester, Cheshire, England, 1800; d. Pulford Hall, Coddington, England, 1887) was published in Massie's Martin Luther's Spiritual Songs (1854). Massie was the oldest of twenty-two children. Raised in the rectory of St. Bride's in Chester, he remained in the Chester area his entire life, inherit¬ed two estates, and had the luxury of being able to devote much of his time to literary pursuits. He taught himself German and translated many German hymns into English. His publications include Luther's Geistliche Lieder (1854), two volumes of Carl Spitta's hymns, Lyra Domestica (1860, 1864), and translations of chorales by Paul Gerhardt (PHH 331). Many of his translations were first published in William Mercer's (PHH 357) Church Psalter and Hymn Book (1854).

The text emphasizes Christ's conquest of death, breaking of Satan's power, and victory over the rule of evil (st. 1-3); it calls us to celebrate Christ's victory and his life-¬giving sacrifice of himself at the feast of the Lord's Supper (st. 4-5). The reference in stanza 4 and 5 to 1 Corinthians 5:7b-8, however, could be interpreted in a more general, non-sacramental way.

Liturgical Use:
Easter season; Lord's Supper.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook