Monday, April 1, 2013

Hymn of the Month - "He's Risen, He's Risen"

Alleluia!  Christ is risen!
He is rise indeed!  Alleluia!

Since Easter was yesterday, I thought it appropriate to pick an Easter hymn this month.  There is so much great Easter hymnody out there, that it is hard to pick just one hymn.  So, I picked one that some may not be as familiar with.  The hymn "He's Risen, He's Risen" was written by C.F.W Walther, the first president of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (back when the synod was called the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States - how's that for a mouthful?).  He originally wrote the hymn auf Deutsch, so this translation is by Anna M. Meyer.  The hymn is partially based off of these verses from 1 Corinthians:
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.      (ESV)
 Here is the hymn text:

He's risen, He's risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;
He opened death's prison, the incarnate, true Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song,
And earth, sea, and mountain the praises prolong.

The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan's domain did the hosts shout and jeer:
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.

But short was their triumph: the Savior arose!
And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes.
The conquering Lord lifts His banner on high:
He lives, yes, He lives, and will never-more die.

O, where is your sting, death?  We fear you no more!
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden's door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.

Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;
Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.
Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain;
With Father and Spirit He ever shall reign.