At The Lamb’s High Feast

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing

Praise to our victorious King,

Who hath washed us in the tide

Flowing from His pierced side;

Praise we Him, whose love divine

Gives His sacred Blood for wine,

Gives His Body for the feast,

Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal Blood is poured,

Death’s dark angel sheathes his sword;

Israel’s hosts triumphant go

Through the wave that drowns the foe.

Praise we Christ, whose Blood was shed,

Paschal victim, Paschal bread;

With sincerity and love

Eat we manna from above.

Mighty Victim from the sky,

Hell’s fierce powers beneath Thee lie;

Thou hast conquered in the fight,

Thou hast brought us life and light;

Now no more can death appall,

Now no more the grave enthrall;

Thou hast opened paradise,

And in Thee Thy saints shall rise.

Paschal triumph, Paschal joy,

Sin alone can this destroy;

From sin’s power do Thou set free

Souls new-born, O Lord, in Thee.

Hymns of glory, songs of praise,

Father, unto Thee we raise:

Risen Lord, all praise to Thee

with the Spirit ever be.

LATIN HYMN

Translated by Robert Campbell (1814–1868)

SCRIPTURE SPEAKS of several Passover (or Paschal) feasts. The first was celebrated by the Israelites in Egypt. After the lamb was slain and blood was put on the doorposts, the Israelite families feasted while the angel of death passed over their houses.

In the upper room just prior to His death, Jesus, the Lamb of God, observed the Last Supper with His disciples. This Passover meal took on special meaning because of Jesus. This is the Eucharist—or Communion—that the Christian church continues to celebrate today.

Revelation 19 speaks of the wedding supper of the Lamb, the consummation of the Paschal feast. The Lamb that was slain, Jesus, has now been glorified. The Victim is now the Victor. This ancient hymn, translated from Latin, weaves the three feasts together into a triumphant climax.

Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.

Revelation 19:6-7