Christ Jesus Lay in Deaths Strong Bands { Christ Jesus Lay in Deaths Strong Bands by Martin Luther, 1524, cento (Tr. Richard Massie, 1 854) Ac 2:24 CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN-Johann Walter, Geistlic he gesangk Buchleyn, 1524 Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands (or Christ Lag in Todesbanden) } 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; Therefore let us joyful be And sing to God right thankfully Loud songs of hallelujah! Hallelujah! It was a strange and dreadful strife When Life and Death contended; The victory remained with Life, The reign of Death was ended; Holy Scripture plainly saith That Death is swallowed up by Death, His sting is lost forever. Hallelujah! 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, And Satan cannot harm us. Hallelujah! 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. His grace He doth impart Eternal sunshine to the heart; The night of sin is ended. Hallelujah! Then let us feast this Easter Day On Christ, the Bread of heaven; The Word of Grace hath purged away The old and evil leaven. Christ alone our souls will feed, He is our meat and drink indeed; Faith lives upon no other. Hallelujah!