A Resurrection Hymn

A few years ago, Pastor Meyers introduced us to this hymn which celebrates the final bodily resurrection of the saints. It portrays the truly Christian view that death, while not overwhelmingly fearful for the believer, is not a state to which we look forward with anticipation. Our hope lies, not in "dying and going to heaven", as I believed most of my life, but in the resurrection when these very bodies we now inhabit will be raised up and glorified for service in the New Heavens and the New Earth.

Since, of course, our resurrection is inextricably linked to Christ's, this is one of my favorite Easter hymns! If you go to Cyber Hymnal you can hear the tune; though the sound is a trifle mechanical and the meter a tad slow for a hymn of celebration, you can at least discern the melody!

Jesus Christ, my sure Defense

And my Savior, ever liveth;

Knowing this, my confidence

Rests upon the hope it giveth

Though the night of death be fraught

Still with many an anxious thought.

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Jesus, my Redeemer, lives;

I, too, unto life shall waken.

Endless joy my Savior gives;

Shall my courage, then, be shaken?

Shall I fear, or could the Head

Rise and leave His members dead?

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Nay, too closely I am bound

Unto Him by hope forever;

Faith’s strong hand the Rock hath found,

Grasped it, and will leave it never;

Even death now cannot part

From its Lord the trusting heart.

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I am flesh and must return

Unto dust, whence I am taken;

But by faith I now discern

That from death I shall awaken

With my Savior to abide

In His glory, at His side.

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Glorified, I shall anew

With this flesh then be enshrouded;

In this body I shall view

God, my Lord, with eyes unclouded;

In this flesh I then shall see

Jesus Christ eternally.

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Then these eyes my Lord shall know,

My Redeemer and my Brother;

In His love my soul shall glow—

I myself, and not another!

Then the weakness I feel here

Shall forever disappear.

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They who sorrow here and moan

There in gladness shall be reigning;

Earthly here the seed is sown,

There immortal life attaining,

Here our sinful bodies die,

Glorified to dwell on high.

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Then take comfort and rejoice,

For His members Christ will cherish.

Fear not, they will hear His voice;

Dying, they shall never perish;

For the very grave is stirred

When the trumpet’s blast is heard.

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Laugh to scorn the gloomy grave

And at death no longer tremble;

He, the Lord, who came to save

Will at last His own assemble.

They will go their Lord to meet,

Treading death beneath their feet.

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Oh, then draw away your hearts

Now from pleasures base and hollow.

There to share what He imparts,

Here His footsteps ye must follow.

Fix your hearts beyond the skies,

Whither ye yourselves would rise.