Songs for Resurrection Sunday

This is the happiest day of all of history! Jesus is alive, our salvation is sure, and we can face each day with joyful Christian courage. A short list of Scripture passages and suggested sermons for today is here: “Passion Week – Sunday“. After reading at least one of the Gospel accounts of this day, and perhaps listening to at least one of the sermons, may the songs listed here be a mere echo of your own heart of worship of our Saviour, Lord, and God Jesus Christ!

The title of each song is a link to a YouTube version of the song. The lyrics are listed below for you to follow.

Resurrection Sunday is the happiest day of history, but it started with the same fear and sorrow that had dominated the disciples for the past few days already. Jesus had died. He was buried. The disciples were filled with fear.

This first song is written from Peter’s perspective, as he started the day with great fear, but soon it turned to joy unspeakable.

“He’s Alive“

The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin’ through
To drag us all away

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers’ feet

But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told me where she’d been
She said they might have moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where
The stone’s been rolled away
And now His body isn’t there

We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they’d taken Him
Was more than I could tell

Oh something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn’t lift me very high
‘Cause I’d seen them crucify him
Then I saw him die

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I’d promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn’t be the same

But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove the shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With his arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I’d ever had
Just melted into peace

He’s alive; He’s alive
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive; He’s alive
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive; He’s alive
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive; He’s alive; He’s alive
He’s aliveDon Francisco

The resurrection is the guarantee that our salvation is sure. In 1820, Fanny Crosby was born, became blind soon after birth, but grew up to be named the “Queen of Gospel Song Writers”. At age 53 she wrote a song on the blessed assurance of our salvation. The familiar lyrics are below, but the link in the title will send you to a version of the song that is a little different to the familiar way of singing it, and I trust it will make you focus on exactly how wonderful a salvation our Jesus purchased for us.

“Blessed Assurance“

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.Fanny Crosby

The resurrection of Jesus ensures us of our own resurrection when He comes again. That deserves it’s own song of praise and worship.

“See What A Morning“

See, what a morning, gloriously bright
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light
As the angels announce, “Christ is risen”
See God’s salvation plan
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice
Fulfilled in Christ, the man
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead

See Mary weeping, “Where is He laid?”
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name
It’s the Master, the Lord raised to life again
The voice that spans the years
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us
Will sound till He appears
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead

One with the Father, Ancient of Days
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty
Honour and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow’r and authority
And we are raised with Him
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives: Christ is risen from the deadKeith and Kristyn Getty

Hallelujah is the Hebrew sentence translated as “Praise the LORD!”. It is a word of deep joy and loud expression. It is therefore a word that is a fitting exclamation over the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Sing it out and go tell the world!

“Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed. Oh, Sing Hallelujah“

How can it be, the One who died,
Has born our sin through sacrifice
To conquer every sting of death?
Sing, sing hallelujah.

For joy awakes as dawning light
When Christ’s disciples lift their eyes.
Alive He stands, their Friend and King;
Christ, Christ He is risen.

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Oh, sing hallelujah.
Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed;
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.

Where doubt and darkness once had been,
They saw Him and their hearts believed.
But blessed are those who have not seen,
Yet, sing hallelujah.

Once bound by fear now bold in faith,
They preached the truth and power of grace.
And pouring out their lives they gained
Life, life everlasting.

The power that raised Him from the grave
Now works in us to powerfully save.
He frees our hearts to live His grace;
Go tell of His goodness.Keith and Kristyn Getty

Because I live, you also will live.
—Jesus, John 14:19