Awake, My Heart, with Gladness

"Awake, My Heart, with Gladness" (LSB 467) is a strong, personal Easter testimony by Lutheran hymnwriter Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676).

Lutheran immigrants to America brought this beloved hymn with them. But, it was in England, where a large number of Lutheran hymns were being translated from German into English.

Whereas early Reformation hymnody proclaimed Martin Luther's teachings, Gerhardt's hymns were different. Gerhardt's hymns were more personal, using the pronouns "I" and "me." The stanzas of "Awake, My Heart, with Gladness" present sequential scenes: joyful discovery at the grave site; victory banner is waved; surrender of the foe; my joy at the sight; now hell, death, and the devil are powerless; my freedom from worldly cares; my fidelity to Christ; I follow my Defender; and a crown of life for the faithful.

This hymn testifies with joyful confidence to the truths of Romans 8:35-39, that following Christ our leader, we are free from sin, the power of death, and the world, and are so protected from all evil that nothing is able to separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus, our Lord!

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

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 has won.

4 Now hell, its prince, the devil,
Of all their pow’r are shorn;
Now I am safe from evil,
And sin I laugh to scorn.
Grim death with all its might
Cannot my soul affright;
It is a pow’rless form,
Howe’er it rave and storm.

5 The world against me rages,
Its fury I disdain;
Though bitter war it wages,
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 grim thrall;
I follow Him through all.

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

Text: Public domain