Sharper Iron — LSB 420: Christ, the Life of All the Living

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This Lenten hymn helps us to give thanks for all of the benefits that Jesus has won for us by His suffering and death in our place. Throughout the hymn, numerous pictures are used to help us see the fullness of the Gospel. Christ has accomplished the great exchange for us in so many ways. He was bound to set us free. He was wounded to heal us. He took our curse to give us His blessing. He received shame so that we might have honor. His crown of thorns means a crown of heavenly glory for us. For this, we give hearty thanks to Jesus now and forever. Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/420.

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #420, “Christ, the Life of All the Living.”

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 420

1 Christ, the Life of all the living,
Christ, the death of death, our foe,
Who, Thyself for me once giving
To the darkest depths of woe:
Through thy suff’rings, death, and merit
I eternal life inherit.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

2 Thou, ah! Thou, hast taken on Thee
Bonds and stripes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee,
0 Thou sinless Son of God!
Thus didst Thou my soul deliver
From the bonds of sin forever.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

3 Thou hast borne the smiting only
That my wounds might all be whole;
Thou hast suffered, sad and lonely,
Rest to give my weary soul;
Yea, the curse of God enduring,
Blessing unto me securing.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

4 Heartless scoffers did surround Thee,
Treating Thee with shameful scorn
And with piercing thorns they crowned Thee.
All disgrace Thou, Lord, hast borne,
That as Thine Thou mightest own me
And with heav’nly glory crown me.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

5 Thou hast suffered men to bruise Thee,
That from pain I might be free;
Falsely did Thy foes accuse Thee:
Thence I gain security;
Comfortless Thy soul did languish
Me to comfort in my anguish.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

6 Thou hast suffered great affliction
And hast borne it patiently,
Even death by crucifixion,
Fully to atone for me;
Thou didst choose to be tormented
That my doom should be prevented.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

7 Then, for all that wrought my pardon,
For Thy sorrows deep and sore,
For Thine anguish in the Garden,
I will thank Thee evermore,
Thank Thee for Thy groaning, sighing,
For Thy bleeding and Thy dying,
For that last triumphant cry,
And shall praise Thee, Lord, on high.

Text Information
First Line: Christ, the life of all the living
Title: Christ, the Life of All the Living
Author: Ernst Christoph Homburg, 1605-81
Translator (sts. 1-2, 5, 7): Catherine Winkworth, 1827-78 (alt.)
Meter: 87 87 88 77
Language: English
Publication Date: 2006
Scripture: Matthew 27:33-46; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24
Topic: Redeemer
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, St. Louis, 1912 (Tr. sts. 3-4, 6)

Tune Information
Name: JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN
Meter: 87 87 88 77
Key: G Major
Source: Das Grosse Cantional, Darmstadt, 1687; The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941 (Setting)

Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/420.