During this Thanksgiving season I've chosen to share a hymn which is usually thought to be an Easter hymn. And I think it is appropriate since there is nothing better to be thankful for than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
This old but stirring Easter hymn has undergone many changes over the decades. It is believed this hymn came from the twelfth century, but the earliest printed version of the Latin hymn we have is from a Jesuit book published in 1695.
The actual author is not known, but Francis Pott, (1831-1909), an Anglican minister, published his own translation of it in 1695. His was a translation from Latin into English.
One of the stirring features of this hymn are the "allelulas" which conclude each verse. "Alleluia" is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "hallelujah." An organist, William Monk, added the Alleluias and set the words to music that had been written much earlier by Vatican choirmaster, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
The hymn celebrates the battle fought and won at the cross. "The powers of death have done their worst," but Christ has won the victory. "The three days (in the tomb) have quickly sped; (Christ) rises glorious from the dead." The last verse is a prayer—a prayer that Christ, by his death, might set us free from death "so that we may live, and sing to thee: Alleluia!" Amen to that!
William Hart, in his book, Hymn Stories of the 20th Century, which was published in 1948 (not long after World War II had ended), adds the unusual note that a soldier's chorus sang this hymn at the funeral of General George Patton on December 23, 1945 after his death in an automobile accident. Whether that seems significant to you or not, it is significant that this hymn and others celebrating the resurrection have been a strength and comfort to many who have had to face the death of a loved one.
Each of the verses give us reminders of what we should be thankful for. In verse 1, Christ won the victory. Verse 2 – Christ dispersed the powers of death. Verse 3 – Christ rose from the dead. Verse 4 – Christ closed hell and opened heaven. Verse 5 – Christ makes us free.
For those of us who truly believe the teachings of the scriptures concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus, we should be filled with joy and thanksgiving knowing that in Christ "The Strife Is O'er."
Alleluia!
This old but stirring Easter hymn has undergone many changes over the decades. It is believed this hymn came from the twelfth century, but the earliest printed version of the Latin hymn we have is from a Jesuit book published in 1695.
The actual author is not known, but Francis Pott, (1831-1909), an Anglican minister, published his own translation of it in 1695. His was a translation from Latin into English.
One of the stirring features of this hymn are the "allelulas" which conclude each verse. "Alleluia" is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "hallelujah." An organist, William Monk, added the Alleluias and set the words to music that had been written much earlier by Vatican choirmaster, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
The hymn celebrates the battle fought and won at the cross. "The powers of death have done their worst," but Christ has won the victory. "The three days (in the tomb) have quickly sped; (Christ) rises glorious from the dead." The last verse is a prayer—a prayer that Christ, by his death, might set us free from death "so that we may live, and sing to thee: Alleluia!" Amen to that!
William Hart, in his book, Hymn Stories of the 20th Century, which was published in 1948 (not long after World War II had ended), adds the unusual note that a soldier's chorus sang this hymn at the funeral of General George Patton on December 23, 1945 after his death in an automobile accident. Whether that seems significant to you or not, it is significant that this hymn and others celebrating the resurrection have been a strength and comfort to many who have had to face the death of a loved one.
Each of the verses give us reminders of what we should be thankful for. In verse 1, Christ won the victory. Verse 2 – Christ dispersed the powers of death. Verse 3 – Christ rose from the dead. Verse 4 – Christ closed hell and opened heaven. Verse 5 – Christ makes us free.
For those of us who truly believe the teachings of the scriptures concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus, we should be filled with joy and thanksgiving knowing that in Christ "The Strife Is O'er."
Alleluia!
1 The strife is o'er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!
2. The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions have dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst
Allelujah!
3 The three sad days are quickly sped;
He rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head.
Alleluia!
4 He closed the yawning gates of hell;
the bars from heaven's high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell.
Alleluia!
5 Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live and sing to thee.
Alleluia!
Rejoice as you listen to it here. STRIFE
No comments:
Post a Comment