Behind the Hymn: A Look at John of Damascus

Episode Four of "Behind the Hymn: Stories of the Hymns that We Love to Sing: John of Damascus." Today's episode featured John of Damascus' hymns "The Day of Resurrection" (LSB 478) and "Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain" (LSB 487). _____________________ The theme for the hymn "The Day of Resurrection" (LSB 478) is its repeated exhortation for all creation to join in praising the Lord. In stanza one, "the passover of gladness" and "the passover of God" refers to the Greek word 'pascha,' which means both "Passover" and "Easter." This connection is especially meaningful when this hymn is sung during the Easter Vigil with the connections between a host of Old Testament passages and Jesus' resurrection on the third day. To listen to the hymn, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO3PP... 1 The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad, The passover of gladness, The passover of God. From death to life eternal, From sin’s dominion free, Our Christ has brought us over With hymns of victory. 2 Let hearts be purged of evil That we may see aright The Lord in rays eternal Of resurrection light And, list’ning to His accents, May hear, so calm and plain, His own “All hail!” and, hearing, May raise the victor strain. 3 Now let the heav’ns be joyful, Let earth its song begin, Let all the world keep triumph And all that is therein. Let all things, seen and unseen, Their notes of gladness blend; For Christ the Lord has risen, Our joy that has no end! 4 All praise to God the Father, All praise to God the Son, All praise to God the Spirit, Eternal Three in One! Let all the ransomed number Fall down before the throne And honor, pow’r, and glory Ascribe to God alone! Text: Public domain _____________________ "Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain" (LSB 487) has been sung in the Church since the middle of the 8th century. In the hymn, the truths of Jesus' resurrection crescendo until the Church of all time joins in praising the immortal King for her deliverance. The first stanza, based on the song of Moses in Exodus 15:1-18, connects Easter with Israel's deliverance from Pharaoh. Stanza two, recalls the true bondage of humanity to sin and death and how Christ has burst this prison. Stanza three tells of the joy brought by the "feast of feasts" that makes glad the hearts of the faithful, for nothing can ever dampen their strains of praise to God. The fourth stanza tells of that first Easter evening, when the resurrected Jesus appeared in the locked upper room. The final stanza tells how God has triumphed and the Church continues to sing alleluias to the King immortal! To listen to the hymn, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch… 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 ’Tis 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 giv’n 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: Public domain The following hymns in the Lutheran Service Book were written by John of Damascus: 478 - The Day of Resurrection 487 - Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain