Awake, My Heart, With Gladness

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.

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.

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 hath won.

Now hell, its prince, the devil

Of all their powers are shorn;

Now I am safe from evil,

And sin I laugh to scorn.

Grim Death with all his might

Cannot my soul affright;

He is a powerless form,

Howe'er he rave and storm.

The world against me rageth

Its fury I disdain;

Though bitter war it wageth

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.

Now I will cling forever

To Christ, my Savior true;

My Lord will leave me never,

Whate'er He passeth through.

He rends Death's iron chain,

He breaks through sin and pain,

He shatters hell's dark thrall,

I follow Him through all.

To halls of heavenly splendor

With Him I penetrate;

And trouble ne'er may hinder

Nor make me hesitate.

Let tempests rage at will,

My Savior shields me still;

He grants abiding peace

And bids all tumult cease.

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 hath shared

Finds here a crown prepared;

Who there with Me hath died

Shall here be glorified."