Those who know me, know how much I love music as an expression of my worship of God. Today, I have the most popular Easter hymn in the English language on my heart. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today is sung to the tune, Easter Hymn. Charles Wesley wrote the lyrics.
This theologically rich hymn celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ as it leads us to engage our hearts, souls, and minds with the passionate language that helps us experience the significance of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Messiah.
Two Scripture passages relating to this hymn come to mind:
The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. “He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Matthew 28:5-6
But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20
This hymn is about mankind’s relationship with God as He transforms us into His image. The “Alleluia!” at the end of each proclamation gives us an opportunity to respond to each one by praising Him.
Join us in celebrating the transforming work of God in our lives as we sing.
Stanza 1
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Here we proclaim boldly the truth that because Christ rose from the dead, he was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead (Romans 1:4). Our response to the risen Christ is to praise Him.
Stanza 2
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.” He meant that He had finished the work His Father had sent Him to do—redeem sinners! As we sing the third line of this stanza, we are reminded that death tried in vain to stop Christ, but He won the victory over death.
Stanza 3
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids its rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Here we sing of how the stone that sealed the tomb and the guards who were ordered to watch the tomb were made ineffective when Christ arose and defeated death (Matthew 27:59-28:2). Through His resurrection, Christ-followers are assured of eternal life with Him in heaven (paradise).
Stanza 4
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Because of Christ’s resurrection, we do not have to fear death nor the grave because Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). Christ-followers will conquer death when we are raised with Him.
Stanza 5
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Here we sing that because Christ is risen from the dead, we can have Hope as we follow our “exalted Head” Jesus. We will be like Him and live with Him for eternity (Philippians 3:20-21).
Stanza 6
What tho’ once we perished all, Alleluia!
Partners in our parents’ fall, Alleluia!
Second life we all receive, Alleluia!
In our heav’nly Adam live, Alleluia!
We sing of what we were before we came to Christ, dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). We were “partners in our parents’ fall” means the sin of Adam and Eve. Yet, because of Christ (“our heavenly Adam”) we are made alive (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Stanza 7
Ris’n with Him we upward move, Alleluia!
Still we seek the things above, Alleluia!
Still pursue, and kiss the Son, Alleluia!
Seated on His Father’s throne, Alleluia!
As in Christ we are risen, we continue to seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2); and pursue a close relationship with Jesus, the Son, who sits at the right hand of the throne of God the Father (Luke 1:26-33).
Stanza 8
Scarce on earth a thought bestow, Alleluia!
Dead to all we leave below, Alleluia!
Heav’n our aim, and love abode, Alleluia!
Had our life with Christ in God, Alleluia!
As followers of Christ, we are dead to our old self and to the things of this earth. Our aim in life is to spend eternity with Christ in heaven, loving Him, and worshiping God.
Stanza 9
Hid till Christ our life appear, Alleluia!
Glorious in His members here, Alleluia!
Joined to Him, we then shall shine, Alleluia!
All immortal, all divine, Alleluia!
What a wonderful reminder that we are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Since we are joined to Christ, and we shine with the light of His salvation, mercy, and love, we live with Him for eternity.
Stanza 10
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
Because Jesus defeated death and arose from the grave, earth and heaven proclaim Him Lord; especially as the One who triumphed over death and destroyed its power (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Stanza 11
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
The resurrection brings joy that overflows through our praise. Finally, we have arrived in heaven where we are with the King of Glory and have seen the power of God, so we express our love and worship of Him eternally.
Start the discussion