2718 7. 8 7. 8 8 7
CHRIST Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
   For our offences given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands,
    And brings us life from Heaven:
Let us give thanks and joyful be,
And to our God sing gratefully
    Loud songs of hallelujah!
 
2  It was a strange and dreadful strife,
    When life and death contended;
The victory was gained for life,
    The reign of death was ended:
Stripped of its power, no more it reigns:
An empty form alone remains;
    Its sting is lost for ever.
 
3  Let us obey the gracious call
    By which the Lord invites us;
Christ is Himself the joy of all,
    The Sun Who warms and lights us;
In love and mercy He imparts
Eternal sunshine to our hearts;
    The night of sin is ended.
 
4  Let us His people feast this day
    On the true Bread of Heaven.
The word of grace has purged away
    The old, corrupted leaven;
Now Christ alone our souls will feed,
He is our meat and drink indeed,
    Faith lives upon no other.
 
Martin Luther, 1483-1546,
tr Richard Massie, 1800-87‡