Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain

The Easter season has more than its fair share of great hymns, and I look forward to singing them all. One of my favorites, though, is one that is less well known, “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain” (Lutheran Service Book 487), the union of an eighth-century text and Reformation era tune that captures the joy and wonder of the paschal season.

John of Damascus wrote this Greek text as one of a cycle of hymns sung in the daily prayer services of the Eastern Church on “St. Thomas Sunday” (the Sunday after Easter), and, because of its intended place in the cycle, the hymn picks up the theme of Israel crossing the Red Sea (st. 1). John then weaves a tapestry of Easter metaphors, each stanza offering new images of the resurrection: freedom from prison, waking from sleep, and the coming of spring in stanza 2; feasting in stanza 3; and the Gospel account of Christ’s appearance to Thomas in stanza 4.

Who can miss John’s meaning? We are the joyful sons and daughters of Jacob, the new Israel. We too are released, awake, and enjoying the new life of spring. We will join the feast now and in eternity. We see the empty tomb and know Christ’s peace that passes understanding. We will “raise the strain of triumphant gladness! God has brought His Israel into joy from sadness!”

God's richest blessings as you share His Word with His children in this Easter season!