Martin Luther (1483–1546)
Translated by Richard Massie (1800–1887)
IN HIS DEATH on the cross, Christ bound Himself in the chains of sin and death. In His resurrection from the tomb, Christ broke those chains for Himself and for us all. Martin Luther celebrates Christ’s conquest over sin and death in this rousing Easter hymn. The reformer was deeply aware of the spiritual battle won by Christ on that first Easter. Luther was also aware of the ongoing spiritual battle every believer must face. He once felt Satan’s oppressive presence so keenly that he threw an inkpot at him. An ink spot still decorates the wall of his room in Wartburg Castle!
Luther believed that singing hymns was one of our best weapons against Satan and his evil forces. He once said, “The devil, the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the Word of God.” By celebrating Christ’s victory through song, we can continue to wage war against sin and death and begin to experience Christ’s resurrection power in our lives.
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!
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 he reigns,
An empty form alone remains;
His sting is lost forever! Alleluia!
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!
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!