He Is Risen

Album: LIVE (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Paul Baloche wrote this celebration of Christ's resurrection with British worship songwriter Graham Kendrick in 2013 whilst he was attending a Missions Conference in the South of England. He told New Release Tuesday the story of the song: "Graham Kendrick and I have been friends for several years and have tried to write together when we have the chance," he said. "He drove down and we spent the day purposely trying to write a resurrection song with the intent of taking the Gospels, and reading through the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection and they are all similar but worded slightly different. We wrote down some of the key phrases and wanted the verses to re-tell the story."

    "The singer, the worshiper, the person in the congregation when they look up at the screen is reminded and it's almost like reading Scripture," Baloche continued. "Verse one begins painting the picture, 'early morning, break of dawn, stumbling to the tomb, standing awestruck, wondering who rolled away the stone, and as they looked they saw an angel clothed in white who said don't be afraid, He is alive.' Our response as the congregation is to this reality to not be afraid, He is alive is 'He is risen, Hallelujah, let the whole world sing, Christ is Risen.' Verse two is intentionally is about from that point on, how does this affect us now? How is the resurrection of Christ relevant to us? The invitation is 'sing, with all creation sing, of a world made new, in His life we too may live, bursting from the tomb.'"

    "Using that metaphor that the reason He was raised from the dead, it was not just a historical event that happened, it has a relevant, and present day effect on our lives," he concluded. "It has the potential if we choose to put our faith in Christ, and in His finished work and go. Paul unpacks our new life, our new creation, an opportunity, all things are passed away and the life I lead is the hope of glory. That's really verse two is the relevance to us in the year 2014."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.