“He's Risen, He's Risen” has been one of my very favorite Easter hymns since I was a small child. The words and music were written by C. F. W. Walther, the first president of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He was a wonderful musician and lover of music. He wrote other hymns but this is the only one that found its way into our hymnal.
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 their praises prolong.
C. F. W. Walther wrote many books and delivered many papers and sermons throughout his life. His book, “Law and Gospel” may be the most important Lutheran book written in America. Yet his little hymn has probably touched more people than all of his other works combined. With the words of “He’s Risen, He’s Risen,” Walther carries forward the work of the angel at the empty tomb.
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 nevermore die.
May our Easter joy continue until we draw our last breath and see our Savior, Jesus, face to face.
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.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may you grant that my Easter joy will continue all my days. Amen.
If you would like to read all of the stanzas of Walther’s hymn, “He’s Risen, He’s Risen” is hymn 480 in Lutheran Service book, hymn 198 in The Lutheran Hymnal and 138 in Lutheran Worship.
You can read more about this remarkable man at http://www.studiumexcitare.com/content/64.
God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus
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