CHRIST JESUS LAY IN DEATH'S STRONG BANDS

[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
our songs of hallelujah.
Hallelujah!

[2]
It was a strange and awesome strife
when life and death contended;
the victory was gained by life,
the rule of death was ended:
stripped of power, no more he reigns,
an empty form alone remains;
his sting is gone for ever.
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 has purged away
the old and wicked leaven.
Christ alone our souls can feed,
he is our meat and drink indeed,
faith lives upon no other.
Hallelujah!