Sharper Iron — LSB 487: Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain

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In this beautiful hymn written especially for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, John of Damascus proclaims that the rescue that God gave to Israel through the Exodus has been fulfilled in the rescue God has given to us through the resurrection of Jesus. The winter of sin and death has come to an end; new life has risen in Christ. For this reason, the faithful join together to sing the praises of the Lord Jesus as they gather to receive from Him the precious feast of HIs Supper. This brings the same peace to us today as the Lord once gave to His disciples in the locked room where they were hidden in fear. In that peace, we sing our “Alleluias” to our immortal King eternally. Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/487.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #487, “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain.”

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Lutheran Service Book 487

1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness.
Loosed from Pharoah’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.

2 ‘Tis the spring of souls today:
Christ hath burst His prison,
And from three days’ sleep in death
As a sun has risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From His light, to whom is giv’n
Laud and praise undying.

3 Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to gladden faithful hearts
Which with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus’ resurrection!

4 For today among His own
Christ appeared, bestowing
His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
Nor the tomb’s dark portal
Nor the watchers nor the seal
Hold Him as a mortal.

5 Alleluia! Now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb’s dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness!

Text Information
First Line: Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Title: Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
Author: John of Damascus, c. 696-c. 754
Translator: John Mason Neale, 1818-66 (alt. )
Meter: 76 76 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 2006
Scripture: Exodus 15:1-21; John 20:19-21; Romans 6:9-11

Tune Information
Name: GAUDEAMUS PARITER
Composer: Johann Horn, c. 1490-1547
Arranger: Theodore A. Beck, 1929-2003
Meter: 76 76 D
Incipit: 11551 23654 32111
Key: F Major
Copyright: Setting © 1969 Concordia Publishing House

Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/487.