Christian Hymns ‎#180

180. Jesus Christ, my sure defence

1 Jesus Christ, my sure defence
And my Saviour, ever liveth;
Knowing this, my confidence
Rests upon the hope it giveth,
Though the night of death be fraught
Still with many an anxious thought.

2 Jesus, my Redeemer, lives!
I, too, unto life shall waken;
He will have me where He is:
Should my courage then be shaken?
Should I fear? Or can the Head
Rise and leave its members dead?

3 Nay, too closely am I bound
Unto Him by hope forever;
Faith's strong hand the Rock hath found,
Grasped it, and will leave it never:
Not the ban of death can part
From its Lord the trusting heart.

4 I shall see God with these eyes,
Shall behold my blessed Savior;
I, the selfsame, shall arise,
In my flesh see God forever;
Then shall wholly disappear
Frailties that oppress me here.

5 What now sickens, mourns, and sighs,
Christ with Him to glory bringeth;
Earthly is the seed and dies,
Heavenly from the grave it springeth;
Natural is the death we die,
Spiritual, our life on high.

6 Saviour, draw away our heart
From all pleasures base and hollow;
Let us there with Thee have part,
Here on earth Thy footsteps follow;
Fix our hearts beyond the skies,
Whither we ourselves would rise.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus Christ, my sure defence
• Meter: 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1898
• Topic: Christ: Defender and Helper; Doubt and Fear; Following Christ; Heavenly-Mindedness; Resurrection of the Dead; Sickness, Death, and Burial
• Notes: Louisa of Brandenburg, 1649. Tr. Winkworth; Norwegian title: Jesus er mit Haab og Tröst

Tune Information

• Name: JESUS CHRIST, MY SURE DEFENCE
• Composer: J. Crüger (1656)
• Meter: 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7.
• Key: C Major
• Notes: Norwegian tune name: Jesus er mit Haab og Tröst