The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 366)
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1 The strife is o’er, the battle done;
now is the victor’s triumph won!
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!
2 The pow’rs of death have done their worst;
Jesus their legions has dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!
3 The three sad days have quickly sped,
Christ rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen head!
Alleluia!
4 Christ closed the yawning gates of hell;
the bars from heav’n’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell.
Alleluia!
5 Lord, by the stripes which wounded you,
from death’s dread free your servants too,
that we may live and sing to you.
Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Text: Symphonia Sirenum, Köln; Music: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina; Public Domain
Devotion
Earlier this week, I mentioned that I am (reluctantly) retired! Actually, I am now fully embracing this chapter in my life. A comment a friend made to me sealed it. Said he, “In retirement, every day is Saturday—except Sunday!” My calendar now has fewer dates than ever before, but all the Sundays are marked “WORSHIP.”
A saying attributed to Martin Luther is even better: “Every Sunday is a little Easter.” Every Sunday the gospel must be proclaimed. Every Sunday we thank Jesus for the resurrection. Every Sunday—and so today!—the hymn below (or one of the countless other glorious resurrection songs) must bring a burst of gratitude.
The strife is O’er, the battle done
Now is the Victor’s triumph won
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!
Whether you think it, read it, say it, or sing it, these words evoke a single response. Alleluia! Alleluia, indeed. Amen.
Prayer
Master, can it be that the strife is truly over? Your death and resurrection have pardoned my sins, and prepared for me a place in the Kingdom. May every day be Easter, and may my praise resound forever! Alleluia! Amen!