The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian church saying:

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 3:16

One of the central themes of all holy writ, is the resurrection of Jesus. This word, coming to light in the hearts of songwriters through the centuries, has been one of the most profound sources of inspiration for songs that lift heart, mind and soul. Consider the small sampling of ‘immortal’ lines from such offered below:

Give me the Bible, lamp of life immortal, Hold up that splendor by the open grave… “Give Me the Bible” - Priscilla J. Owens, 1883

We gazed not in the open tomb, where once thy mangled body lay; nor saw Thee in that upper room, nor met Thee on the open way; but we believe that angels said, “Why seek the living with the dead?” But we believe that angels said, “Why seek the living with the dead?” “We Saw Thee Not” - Anne Richter, 1834

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Savior; Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord. Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus, by Savior; He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord. “Low in the Grave He Lay” - Robert Lowry, 1874

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him He’s always near. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
“He Lives” - A. H. Ackley, 1933

I am the resurrection, I am the life, he who believes in Me will live a new life.
I am the resurrection, I am the life, he who believes in Me will never die.
Jesus, A. D. 33 - John 11:25-26

That last set of lyrics are simply the words of Jesus Himself as he encouraged Martha to believe in His power to give life eternal as the Son of God. How did He show her his power? He called Lazarus forth from his grave.

And how could we not sing about the resurrection? When Jesus will call us forth, never to die again!

Marty Kessler