Belated Easter Blessings!

"Awake, My Heart, with Gladness
by Paul Gerhardt
Text From:
THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941

   1. Awake, my heart, with gladness,
   See what today is done,
   Now after gloom and sadness
   Comes forth the glorious Sun!
   My Savior there was laid
   Where our bed must be made
   When to the realms of light
   Our spirit wings its flight.

   2. The Foe in triumph shouted
   When Christ lay in the tomb,
   But, lo, he now is routed,
   His boast is turned to gloom.
   For Christ again is free;
   In glorious victory
   He who is strong to save
   Has triumphed o'er the grave.

   3. This is a sight that gladdens;
   What peace it doth impart!
   Now nothing ever saddens
   The joy within my heart;
   No gloom shall ever shake,
   No foe shall ever take,
   The hope which God's own Son
   In love for me hath won.

   4. Now hell, its prince, the devil,
   Of all their power are shorn;
   Now I am safe from evil,
   And sin I laugh to scorn.
   Grim death with all his might
   Cannot my soul affright;
   He is a powerless form,
   Howe'er he rave and storm.

   5. The world against me rageth,
   Its fury I disdain;
   Though bitter war it wageth,
   Its work is all in vain.
   My heart from care is free,
   No trouble troubles me.
   Misfortune now is play,
   And night is bright as day.

   6. Now I will cling forever
   To Christ, my Savior true;
   My Lord will leave me never,
   Whate'er He passes through.
   He rends Death's iron chain,
   He breaks through sin and pain,
   He shatters hell's dark thrall,-
   I follow through it all.

   7. To halls of heavenly splendor
   With Him I penetrate;
   And trouble ne'er may hinder
   Nor make me hesitate.
   Let tempests rage at will,
   My Savior shields me still;
   He grants abiding peace
   And bids all tumult cease.

   8. He brings me to the portal
   That leads to bliss untold
   Whereon this rime immortal
   Is found in script of gold:
   "Who there My cross hath shared
   Finds here a crown prepared;
   Who there with Me has died
   Shall here be glorified."

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   Notes:
   Hymn #192 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
   Text: Col. 2:15
   Author: Paul Gerhardt
   Translated by: John Kelly, 1867, alt.
   Titled: "Auf, auf, mein Herz, mit Freuden"
   Composer: Johann Crueger, 1648
   Tune: "Auf, auf, mein Herz"