Alleluia! Jesus Lives
Alleluia! Jesus lives
This hymn articulates the Lutheran emphasis on Christ's resurrection as the foundation of Christian assurance and the defeat of death itself. The text movingly connects Christ's resurrection directly to the believer's resurrection, expressing the evangelical confidence in justification through Christ's redemptive work.
History & Background
Originally written in German as 'Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich' by Christian Gellert in 1757, this hymn became one of the most beloved Easter hymns in Lutheran tradition. It was translated into English by Philip Pusey in 1860 and has appeared in Lutheran hymnals continuously since.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 379
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 147
- Lutheran Service Book — 475
- Lutheran Worship — 139
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 193
- With One Voice — 674
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Christian Gellert (1715–1769), this 1757 hymn stands in the German pietistic tradition and remains a cornerstone of Lutheran Easter worship, celebrating the resurrection as the foundation of Christian certitude.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's accusation of death into the Gospel's triumphant proclamation, anchoring the sermon's movement from condemnation to resurrection-certainty in the believer's lived assurance.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Themes
Resurrection of Christ Assurance of salvation Victory over death Joy in redemption Christian hope