Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense

By Electress Luise Henriette

Lyrics

1. Jesus Christ, my sure defense
And my Savior, now is living!
Knowing this, my confidence
Rests upon the hope he's giving,
Though the night of death be fraught
Still with many an anxious thought.

2. Jesus, my Redeemer lives;
Likewise I to life shall waken.
He will bring me where he is;
Shall my courage then be shaken?
Shall I fear, or could the Head
Rise and leave his members dead?

3. No, too closely I am bound
By my hope to Christ forever;
Faith's strong hand the Rock has found,
Grasped it, and will leave it never;
Even death now cannot part
From its Lord the trusting heart.

4. I am flesh and must return
To the dust, whence I am taken;
But by faith I now discern
How from death I shall awaken
With my Savior to abide
In his glory, at his side.

5. Glorified, I shall anew
With this flesh then be enshrouded;
In this body I shall view
God, my Lord, with eyes unclouded;
In this flesh I then shall see
Jesus Christ eternally.

6. Then take comfort and rejoice,
For his members Christ shall cherish.
Fear not, they will hear his voice;
Dying, they will never perish;
For the very grave is stirred
When the trumpet's blast is heard.

Bible Reference

John 11:25

About This Hymn

“Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense” is one of the earliest Lutheran hymns on the theme of the resurrection, written by Electress Luise Henriette of Brandenburg in 1653. Luise Henriette, wife of the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia, was deeply devoted to her Christian faith and composed several hymns during her life, many of which reflected her personal trust in Christ amid the political and religious turmoil of seventeenth-century Europe. This hymn in particular was written as a confession of faith in the risen Lord, offering comfort and assurance to believers facing the certainty of death by pointing them to the promise of eternal life in Christ.

The hymn emphasizes the believer’s security in Jesus, who has conquered death and secured everlasting life for His people. Its verses are full of confidence, declaring that because Christ is risen, those who belong to Him will rise also. This theme made the hymn especially beloved at funerals and times of mourning, where it served as both comfort and testimony to the hope of the resurrection. The text draws heavily upon John 11:25 and other resurrection passages, presenting the risen Christ as both the ground and guarantee of the believer’s salvation. Its language is personal yet universal, turning the truths of Scripture into heartfelt poetry that strengthens the faith of the church.

Over the centuries, “Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense” has been translated into English and included in many Lutheran and Protestant hymnals. It has been most often paired with Johann Crüger’s tune “Jesus, meine Zuversicht,” a melody that complements the confident yet reverent character of the text. The hymn’s enduring presence testifies not only to its theological richness but also to the personal piety of Electress Luise Henriette, who used her gifts and position to encourage Christian worship. This hymn remains a cherished expression of Easter hope, reminding believers of the unshakable security found in Christ’s victory over the grave.