AHB 283 – Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
Improvisation (cantus firmus in double pedal)
1 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;
wherefore let us joyful be
and sing to God right thankfully
loud songs of hallelujah.
Hallelujah!
2 It was a strange and awesome strife
when life and death contended;
the victory was gained by life,
the reign of death was ended;
stripped of power, no more he reigns,
an empty form alone remains;
his sting is lost forever.
Hallelujah!
3 So let us keep the festival
our Lord himself invites us;
Christ is the Lamb the Joy of all,
the sun that warms and lights us.
Through the glory of his grace
all darkness must today give place,
the night of sin is ended.
Hallelujah!
4 Then let us feast this holy 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.
Hallelujah!
Martin Luther 1483-1546