1 If Jesus rose not from the grave,
The faith of all His saints is vain:
That He can have no power to save,
If death detains Him still, is plain.

2 If Jesus rose not from the grave,
We’re guilty still, our sins remain:
The hope is vain His people have;
If Jesus rose not, hope is vain.

3 If Jesus rose not from the grave,
His foes were right in all they said:
For He to all assurance gave
That He would rise, and leave the dead.

4 If Jesus rose not from the grave,
Then all He said was empty boast:
His claims no good foundation have;
And they who sleep in Him are lost.

If Jesus rose not from the grave,
The thief that perished by His side,
As just a claim as He would have,
To be the sinner’s hope and guide.

5 But now is Jesus risen indeed:
The first fruits He of those who sleep:
Rejoice ye saints, the Prisoner’s freed;
For who could such a prisoner keep?

6 He fought with Death, the saints’ last foe:
And though He seemed to lose the day,
’Twas Death sustained the overthrow,
Subdued by Him who seemed his prey.

7 Doubt then no more, ye saints, nor grieve
The Lord is risen, is risen indeed;
Because He lives, His saints shall live:
Shall live with Him, their glorious head.

8 He sits at God’s right hand above,
The dread of foes, the joy of friends;
Supreme in power, in truth, in love,
His kingdom, one that never ends.

9 The glorious day is drawing near,
When He who lay in yonder tomb,
With crowds of angels shall appear,
And take His waiting people home.