In Death’s Strong Grasp the Savior Lay

In death’s strong grasp the Savior lay,
For our offences given;
But, rising form the grave today,
He brings us life from heaven.
O let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our God and Lord
And shout glad hallelujahs. Hallelujah!
No human pow’r could conquer death,
Such mischief sin had wrought us.
We were condemned to yield our breath,
To thraldom death had bro’t us.
Our enemy both strong and bold,
Had fettered us in days of old
And held us all in bondage. Hallelujah!
But Jesus, God’s eternal Son,
The Source of our salvation,
For us the mighty battle won
And saved us from damnation.
Now death on us has lost his claim,
Christ Jesus bour our sin and blame,
The sting of death removing. Hallelujah!
In Christ the Paschal Lamb we see,
Which God so freely gave us;
In ardent love upon the tree
He suffered death to save us.
The blood of Christ doth mark our door;
Faith points to it, and nevermore
Can death alarm or claim us. Hallelujah!

Words by Martin Luther, 1524
Tune: "Torgau" from the 12th Century, modified by Johann Walther, 1524
From the American Lutheran Hymnal, Music Edition published in 1930