Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands

Verse 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!

Verse 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!

Verse 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!

Verse 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!