Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#224

224. In death's strong grasp the Savior lay

1 In death's strong grasp the Savior lay,
For our offences given;
But now the Lord is risen today,
And brings us life from heaven.
Therefore let us all rejoice,
And praise our God with cheerful voice,
And sing loud hallelujahs.
Hallelujah!

2 No son of man could conquer Death,
Such mischief sin had wrought us,
For innocence dwelt not on earth,
And, therefore, Death had brought us
Into thralldom from of old,
And ever grew more strong and bold,
And kept us in his bondage.
Hallelujah!

3 But Jesus Christ, God's only Son,
To our low state descended,
The cause of Death he has undone,
His power forever ended,
Ruined all his right and claim,
And left him nothing but the name,--
His sting is lost forever.
Hallelujah!

4 It was a strange and dreadful fray
When Death and Life contended;
But it was Life that won the day,
The reign of Death was ended.
Holy Scripture plainly saith
That Death is swallowed up by Death,
Made henceforth a derision.
Hallelujah!

5 Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree,
So strong His love! to save us.
See! His blood doth mark our door,
Faith points to it, Death passes o'er,
The Murderer cannot harm us.
Hallelujah!

6 So let us keep the festival
With heartfelt exultation.
Christ is Himself the Joy of all,
The Sun of our salvation.
By His grace He doth impart
Eternal sunshine to the heart;
The night of sin is ended.
Hallelujah!

7 Then let us feast this Easter-day
On Christ, the Bread of heaven;
The Word of grade 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!

Text Information

• First Line: In death's strong grasp the Savior lay
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 7, 4
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1918
• Topic: Easter

Tune Information

(No tune information)