Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 363)
1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
Into joy from sadness,
Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.
2 This the spring of souls today:
Christ has 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 given
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
Welcome in unwearied strain
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: John of Damascus; Music: Johann Horn; Public Domain
Devotion
Our golden retriever greeted visitors with enthusiastic vigor—leaping, rolling, and yelping with animated joy. Oh, the elation of unbridled freedom for the purpose of reception and affirmation!
This ancient hymn, written by John of Damascus, an 8th century monk, references the plight of the imprisoned and the immense gladness of freedom. From Israel loosed from Pharoah’s yoke, Jesus bursting forth from the tomb’s dark portal, or the bestowal of deep peace rising amongst God’s own, the hymn captures the essence of resurrection and new life.
The rolled-away stone affirmed the promise of Immanuel (God with us) and prompted the faithful to “raise the strain of triumphant gladness.” Even the disciples, fearing their plight in the Upper Room, could now feel the sweet release of ministry into the world, buoyed by the Holy Spirit.
Equipped with resurrection freedom, the song inspires us to roll back the stones of others who are locked in the throes of darkness with bold reception and affirmation.
Prayer
Gracious God, give us strength to partner with you in moving the stones that shackle your precious people so true freedom might be realized. Amen.