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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; wherefore let us joyful be, and sing to God right thankfully loud songs of Alleluia! Alleluia! 2. It was a strange and dreadful strife when life and death contended; the victory remained with life; the reign of death was ended. Stripped of power, no more it reigns, an empty form alone remains; death's sting is lost forever! Alleluia! 3. 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! Alleluia! 4. Then let us feast this Easter day on the true bread of heaven; the Word of grace hath purged away the old and wicked leaven. Christ alone our souls will feed; he is our meat and drink indeed; faith lives upon no other! Alleluia!
WORDS: Martin Luther, 1524; Richard Massie, 1854
MUSIC: J. S. Bach, 1724
Theme: Christ's Gracious Life: Resurrection and Exaltation; Christian Year: Ascension; Christian Year: Easter; Holy Communion; Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ: Atonement