Hymn 30

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.
   Therefore let us joyful be,
   and sing to God right thankfully
   loud songs of alleluia! Alleluia!
   
   
2. 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 says
   his death has swallowed up our death;
   its sting is lost forever! Alleluia!
   
   
3. Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
   whom God so freely gave us.
   He died on the accursèd tree –
   so strong his love – to save us.
   See, his blood now marks our door;
   faith points to it, death passes o’er,
   and Satan cannot harm us. Alleluia!
   
   
4. So let us keep the festival
   to which the LORD invites us.
   Christ is himself the joy of all,
   the Sun that warms and lights us.
   Now his grace to us imparts
   eternal sunshine to our hearts.
   The night of sin is ended. Alleluia!
   
   
5. Then let us feast this joyful day
   on Christ, the bread of heaven.
   The Word of grace has purged away
   the old and wicked leaven.
   Christ alone our souls will feed;
   he is our food and drink indeed;
   faith lives upon no other. Alleluia!