Chapter C: F. Gellert, 1757; Frances E. Cox, tr., † 1864

223

8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7

Who is this that comes from Edom,
All His raiment stained with blood;
To the captive speaking freedom,
Bringing and bestowing good;
Glorious in the garb He wears,
Glorious in the spoil He bears?

2. ’Tis the Savior, now victorious,
Traveling onward in His might;
’Tis the Savior; O how glorious
To His people is the sight!
Satan conquered and the grave,
Jesus now is strong to save.

3. Why that blood His raiment staining?
’Tis the blood of many slain;
Of His foes there’s none remaining,
None the contest to maintain.
Fall’n they are, no more to rise;
All their glory prostrate lies.

4. Mighty Victor, reign forever,
Wear the crown so dearly won;
Never shall Thy people, never,
Cease to sing what Thou hast done.
Thou hast fought Thy people’s foes;
Thou hast healed Thy people’s woes.

Thomas Kelly, 1809, a.

224

8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 7, 4

In death’s strong grasp the Savior lay,
For our offenses given;
But now the Lord is ris’n to-day
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 thraldom 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!

6. 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 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!

Martin Luther, 1524.

225

7s (with Hall.)

Christ the Lord is risen again!
Christ has broken death’s strong chain!
Hark, the angels shout for joy,
Singing evermore on high:
Hallelujah!

2. He who gave for us His life,
Who for us endured the strife,
Is our Paschal Lamb to-day.
We, too, sing for joy and say:
Hallelujah!

3. He who bore all pain and loss
Comfortless upon the cross
Lives in glory now on high,
Pleads for us and hears our cry:
Hallelujah!

4. He whose path no records tell,
Who descended into hell,
Who the strong man armed hath bound,
Now in highest heaven is crowned:
Hallelujah!

5. He who slumbered in the grave
Is exalted now to save;
Now through Christendom it rings
That the Lamb is King of kings!
Hallelujah!

6. Now He bids us tell mankind
How all may salvation find,
How poor sinners are forgiv’n,
And through faith may enter heav’n:
Hallelujah!

7. Thou our Paschal Lamb indeed,
Christ, to-day Thy people feed;
Take our sins and guilt away
That we all may sing for aye:
Hallelujah!

Bohemian Brethren, M. Weiss, 1531; C. Winkworth, tr., a.

226

10, 6, 10, 9, 9, 4

I am content! My Jesus liveth still,
In whom my heart is pleased;
He hath fulfilled the Law of God for me,
God’s wrath He hath appeased.
Since Him from life death could not sever,
I also shall not die forever.
I am content!

2. I am content! My Jesus is my Head,
His member I will be;
He bowed His head, when on the cross He died,
With cries of agony;
How death is brought into subjection
For me, too, by His resurrection.
I am content!

3. I am content! My Jesus is my Lord,
My Prince of Life and Peace;
His loving heart is thirsting after man’s
Welfare and future bliss.
Where He, my Lord and Master, liveth,
His servant also He receiveth.
I am content!

4. I am content! My Jesus is my Light,
My radiant Sun of Grace.
His cheering rays beam blessings forth for all;
Sweet comfort, hope, and peace.
This Easter-sun brings life, salvation,
And everlasting exultation.
I am content!

5. I am content! Lord, draw me but to Thee
That from the dead I rise
With Thee, my Head, and enter cheerfully
Into Thy heavenly joys.
The fetters of my body sever,
Then shall my soul rejoice forever.
I am content!

J. J. Moeller, 1704; A. Crull, tr.

227

L. M.

Where wilt Thou go since night draws near,
O Jesus Christ, Thou Pilgrim dear?
Lord, make me happy, be my Guest,
And in my heart, oh, deign to rest.

2. Grant my request, O dearest Friend,
For truly I Thy best intend;
Thou knowest that Thou ever art
A welcome Guest unto my heart.

3. The day is now far spent and gone,
The shades of night come quickly on;
Then stay with me, Thou heavenly Light,
And do not leave me in this night.

4. Enlighten me that from the way
That leads to heaven I may not stray,
That I may never be misled,
Though night of sin is round me spread.

5. And when I on my death-bed lie,
Help me and let me gently die.
Abide! I will not let Thee go!
Thou wilt not leave me, Lord, I know.

E. C. Homburg, † 1681; A. Crull, tr., a.

228

C. M.

Welcome, Thou Victor in the strife,
Welcome from out the cave!
To-day we triumph in Thy life
Around Thine empty grave.

2. Our enemy is put to shame,
His short-lived triumph o’er;
Our God is with us, we exclaim;
We fear our foe no more.

3. The dwellings of the just resound
With songs of victory;
For in their midst Thou, Lord, art found
And bringest peace with Thee.

4. O let Thy conquering banner wave
O’er hearts Thou makest free;
And point the path that from the grave
Leads heavenward up to Thee.

5. We bury all our sin and crime
Deep in our Savior’s tomb
And seek the treasure there that time
And change can ne’er consume.

6. Fearless we lay us in the tomb
And sleep the night away;
For Thou art there to break the gloom
And call us back to-day.

B. Schmolck, 1712; C. Winkworth, tr., a.

229

L. M.

I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead,
He lives, my ever-living Head.

2. He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

3. He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

4. He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint,
He lives to comfort me when faint.

5. He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

6. He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King!

7. He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

8. He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
O the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Samuel Medley, 1775.

230

L. M.

Lord Jesus Christ, strong Hero Thou,
Grim death Thou hast o’erpowered now,
Thou dost destroy hell’s gate and chain,
Dost on the third day rise again.

2. Thou grantest to Thy friends the grace
To look again upon Thy face
And showest them the glorious prize
Won when from death Thou didst arise.

3. Grant that we and all Christians may
Partake of this great joy to-day
Which by Thy resurrection Thou
To all men freely givest now.

4. Grant us that we may rise from sin,
A holy life to lead begin,
Till we, from sin and pain set free,
In endless Easter live with Thee.

B. Helder, 1620; A. Crull, tr., a.

ASCENSION.

231

8, 7, 8 l

See, the Conqueror mounts in triumph;
See the King in royal state,
Riding on the clouds, His chariot,
To His heavenly palace gate!
Hark! the choirs of angel voices
Joyful alleluias sing,
And the portals high are lifted
To receive their heav’nly King.

2. Who is this that comes in glory,
With the trump of jubilee?
Lord of battles, God of armies,—
He hath gained the victory.
He who on the cross did suffer,
He who from the grave arose,
He has vanquished sin and Satan;
He by death has spoiled His foes.

3. While He raised His hands in blessing,
He was parted from His friends,
While their eager eyes behold Him,
He upon the clouds ascends;
He who walked with God and pleased Him,
Preaching truth and doom to come,
He, our Enoch, is translated
To His everlasting home.

4. How our heav’nly Aaron enters
With His blood within the veil;
Joshua now is come to Canaan,
And the kings before Him quail;
Now He plants the tribes of Israel
In their promised resting-place;
Now our great Elijah offers
Double portion of His grace.

5. Thou hast raised our human nature
On the clouds to God’s right hand;
There we sit in heav’nly places,
There with Thee in glory stand.
Jesus reigns, adored by angels;
Man with God is on the throne;
Mighty Lord, in Thine ascension
We by faith behold our own.

C. Wordsworth, 1862.

232

L. M.

Our Lord is risen from the dead,
Our Jesus is gone up on high;
The powers of hell are captive led,
The Victor rises to the sky.

2. There His triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chant the solemn lay:
“Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates!
Ye everlasting doors, give way!”

3. Loose all your bars of massy light
And wide unfold the radiant scene.
He claims these mansions as His right;
Receive the King of Glory in.

4. Who is the King of Glory, who?
The Lord, who all His foes o’ercame,
The world, sin, death, and hell o’erthrew;
And Jesus is the Conqueror’s name.

5. Lo! His triumphal chariot waits,
And angels chant the solemn lay:
“Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates;
Ye everlasting doors, give way!”

6. Who is the King of Glory, who?
The Lord, of glorious power possest,
The King of saints and angels too,
God over all, forever blest!

Charles Wesley, 1741.

233

7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6

Lo, God to heaven ascendeth!
Throughout its regions vast
With shouts triumphant blendeth
The trumpet’s thrilling blast:
Sing praise to Christ the Lord!
Sing praise with exultation,
King of each heathen nation,
The God of hosts adored!

2. With joy is heaven resounding,
Christ’s glad return to see;
Behold the saints surrounding
The Lord who set them free.
Bright myriads, thronging, come;
The cherub band rejoices,
And loud seraphic voices
Welcome Messiah home.

3. No more the way is hidden
Since Christ, our Head, arose;
No more to man forbidden
The road that heav’nward goes.
Our Lord is gone before;
But here He will not leave us,
In heaven He’ll soon receive us;
He opens wide the door.

4. Christ is our place preparing;
To heaven we, too, shall rise
And, joys angelic sharing,
Be where our Treasure lies.
There may each heart be found,
Where Jesus Christ has entered;
There let our hopes be centered,
Our course still heavenward bound!

5. May we, His servants, thither
In heart and mind ascend;
And let us sing together:
“We seek Thee, Christ, our Friend,
Thee, God’s anointed Son,
Our Life, and Way to heaven,
To whom all power is given,
Our Joy, and Hope, and Crown!”

6. Farewell with all thy treasures,
O world, to falsehood giv’n!
Thy dross gives no true pleasures;
We seek the joys of heav’n.
The Savior is our Prize;
He comforts us in sadness
And fills our hearts with gladness;
To Him we lift our eyes.

7. When, on our vision dawning,
Will break the wished-for hour
Of that all-glorious morning
When Christ shall come with power?
O come, thou welcome day!
When we, our Savior meeting,
His second advent greeting,
Shall hail the heaven-sent ray.

G. W. Sacer, 1661; F. E. Cox, tr., a.

234

4, 4, 7, 4, 4, 7

Draw us to Thee,
For then shall we
Walk in Thy steps forever
And hasten on
Where Thou art gone
To be with Thee, dear Savior.

2. Draw us to Thee,
Lord, lovingly;
Let us depart with gladness
That we may be
Forever free
From sorrow, grief, and sadness.

3. Draw us to Thee;
O grant that we
May find the road to heaven.
Direct our way,
Lest we should stray
And from Thy paths be driven.

4. Draw us to Thee,
That also we
Thy heavenly bliss inherit
And ever dwell
Where sin and hell
No more can vex our spirit.

5. Draw us to Thee
Unceasingly,
Into Thy kingdom take us;
Let us fore’er
Thy glory share,
Thy saints and joint heirs make us.

Fr. Funcke, † 1699; A. Crull, tr.

235

L. M.

A hymn of glory let us sing;
New songs throughout the world shall ring:
By a new way none ever trod
Christ mounteth to the throne of God.

2. May our affections thither tend
And thither constantly ascend
Where, seated on the Father’s throne,
Thee reigning in the heavens we own!

3. Be Thou our present Joy, O Lord,
Who wilt be ever our Reward;
And as the countless ages flee,
May all our glory be in Thee!

4. All glory to the Father be,
All glory, Jesus Christ, to Thee,
Who didst to heaven above ascend,
And to the Spirit, without end.

Bede, † 735; Elizabeth R. Charles, 1858.

236

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7

Since Christ has gone to heaven, His home,
I, too, that home one day must share;
And in this hope I overcome
All doubt, all anguish, and despair;
For where the Head is, well we know,
The members He has left below
In time He surely gathers.

2. Since Christ has reached His glorious throne
And mighty gifts henceforth are His,
My heart can rest in heaven alone,
On earth my Lord I always miss;
I long to be with Him on high,
My heart and thoughts forever fly
Where is my only Treasure.

3. From Thy ascension let such grace,
Dear Lord, be ever found in me,
That steadfast faith may guide my ways
With step unfalt’ring up to Thee,
And at Thy voice I may depart
With joy to dwell where Thou, Lord, art;
Lord, hear my supplication!

J. Wegelin, 1637; C. Winkworth, tr.

SESSION.

237

C. M.

The Head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns
The mighty Victor’s brow.

2. The highest place that heaven affords
Is His by sovereign right,
The King of kings and Lord of lords,
And heaven’s eternal Light;

3. The Joy of all who dwell above,
The Joy of all below,
To whom He manifests His love
And grants His name to know.

4. To them the cross, with all its shame,
With all its grace, is given;
Their name an everlasting name,
Their joy the joy of heaven.

5. They suffer with their Lord below,
They reign with Him above,
Their profit and their joy to know
The mystery of His love.

6. The cross He bore is life and health,
Though shame and death to Him:
His people’s hope, His people’s wealth,
Their everlasting theme.

Thomas Kelly, 1820.

238

8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7

Hark! ten thousand harps and voices
Sound the note of praise above;
Jesus reigns, and Heaven rejoices,—
Jesus reigns, the God of Love.
See, He sits on yonder throne:
Jesus rules the world alone.

2. Christians, come, unite your praises
With the angels round His throne;
Soon, we hope, our God will raise us
To the place where He is gone.
Meet it is that we should sing,
“Glory, glory, to our King!”

3. Sing how Jesus came from heaven,
How He bore the cross below,
How all power to Him is given,
How He reigns in glory now;
’Tis a great and endless theme,
Oh, ’tis sweet to sing of Him!

4. Jesus, hail! whose glory brightens
All above and makes it fair.
Lord of Life, Thy smile enlightens,
Cheers, and charms Thy people here.
When we think of love like Thine,
Lord, we own it love divine.

5. King of Glory, reign forever;
Thine an everlasting crown.
Nothing from Thy love shall sever
Those whom Thou hast made Thine own,
Happy objects of Thy grace,
Destined to behold Thy face.

6. Savior, hasten Thine appearing;
Bring, O bring the glorious day
When, the awful summons hearing,
Heaven and earth shall pass away;
Then with golden harps we’ll sing,
“Glory, glory, to our King!”

Thomas Kelly, 1806, a.

239