Hallelujah Jesus Lives
Hallelujah Jesus lives
The hymn proclaims the central Easter proclamation of Christ's resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope and assurance. In Lutheran understanding, the resurrection fulfills the promise of redemption and secures the believer's justification through faith in the risen Christ.
History & Background
Christian Gellert composed this hymn in 1757 as part of his collection of spiritual poems reflecting Enlightenment piety. The German text 'Hallelujah Jesus lebt' became widely distributed through German hymnals and was translated into English by Philip Schaff in the 19th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 372
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 147
- Lutheran Worship — 138
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 188
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Christian Gellert in 1757, this German Easter hymn has become a cornerstone of Lutheran hymnody. Its simple, direct proclamation—'Jesus lives!'—captures the Reformation's confidence in Christ's resurrection as the sole ground of salvation.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's sentence of death into the Gospel's Easter victory, making Christ's resurrection the foundation upon which justification by faith stands secure and eternal.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Themes
Resurrection of Christ Victory over death Assurance of salvation Joy in Christ