Christ was to Death abased

Representative Text

I. Christ was to Death abased,
And giv'n for our Transgression,
But by his being raised
Regain'd our Life's Possession.
This should make our Souls rejoice
To praise the Lord with Heart and Voice,
In singing Hallelujah. Hallelujah!

II. None could be found of Adam's Race
Who Death and Hell could slaughter.
Sin had defac'd the Worth and Grace
Of ev'ry Son and Daughter.
Death then, caused by the Fall,
Was, from thence, entail'd on All;
And kept the World in Bondage. Hallelujah!

III. But JESUS, whom God ever lov'd,
Came down for our Salvation:
Death from her Empire he remov'd;
And by his blessed Passion.
Ruin'd all her Pow'r and Claim;
And left Death Nothing but the Name:
The Sting is lost for ever. Hallelujah!

IV. How hot and wond'rous was the Fray!
Life was with Death surrounded,
The Lord of Life here gain'd the Day,
Death's Kingdom was confounded.
This the Scripture doth record,
That Death was conquer'd with his Sword,
And let at last in Triumph. Hallelujah.

V. This is the Blessed Paschal Lamb,
By God himself appointed.
The Prophets do aloud proclaim,
That this is THE ANOINTED,
On our Hearts his Blood we shew;
No Fears of Death disturbs us now:
Subdu'd is that Destroyer. Hallelujah.

VI. This is the Day the Lord has made
To all our Hopes to raise us:
Let Heav'n rejoice, let Earth be glad,
And join to sing his Praises.
He dispels the Clouds of Sin,
His Merit cleanses all within,
We are remov'd from Darkness, Hallelujah.

VII. The Bread of Life, by which we're held
Is CHRIST for ever living:
The Leav'n of Sin is still expell'd
By Grace, which he is giving.
Faith desires no other Food,
But our Redeemer's Flesh and Blood.
Blest be his Name for ever. Hallelujah.



Source: Psalmodia Germanica: or, The German Psalmody: translated from the high Dutch together with their proper tunes and thorough bass (2nd ed., corr. and enl.) #38

Author: Martin Luther

Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >

Translator: Johann Christian Jacobi

Jacobi, John Christian, a native of Germany, was born in 1670, and appointed Keeper of the Royal German Chapel, St. James's Palace, London, about 1708. He held that post for 42 years, and died Dec. 14, 1750. He was buried in the Church of St. Paul's, Covent Garden. His publications included :— (1) A Collection of Divine Hymns, Translated from the High Dutch. Together with their Proper Tunes and Thorough Bass. London: Printed and Sold by J. Young, in St. Paul’s Churchyard; . . . 1720. This edition contains 15 hymns. Two years later this collection, with a few changes in the text and much enlarged, was republished as (2) Psalmodia Germanica; or a Specimen of Divine Hymns. Translated from the High Dutch. Together with their Proper Tunes… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Christ was to Death abased
German Title: Christ lag in todesbanden
Translator: Johann Christian Jacobi
Author: Martin Luther
Language: English

Tune

CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN

CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN is an adaptation of a medieval chant used for "Victimae Paschali laudes" (the same chant is the source for CHRIST IST ERSTANDEN, 407). The tune's arrangement is credited to Johann Walther (b. Kahla, Thuringia, Germany, 1496: d. Torgau, Germany, 1570), in whose 1524 Geystlic…

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Psalmodia Germanica #38

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