In the darkness before the dawn
When it seemed all hope was gone
In Golgotha’s aftermath
The strong smell of death
The strong sense of doom
From inside a cold, dark tomb
Yet new life is exhumed
Like a fertile womb
Like a flower’s bloom
Bursting forth uninhibited
Our captive souls riveted
On this monumental event
As hope replaces lament
Jesus is alive and present
Here broken sinners find refuge
From sin’s torrent and deluge
From death’s grip
From each guilt trip
That squeezes life’s breath
That proclaims God’s wrath
Saying I’m not worthy
Of redemptive mercy
Ah, but the empty tomb disagrees
It promises and guarantees
That though this body will face death
These lungs will breathe their last breath
That is not the end
Since Jesus rose again
We too will arise
As one baptized
Into death and the grave
Beneath its cold wave
From this cold cave
Raised up no longer a slave
In the culmination of history
When dishonor turns to glory
The empty tomb cries, “Victory!”
Sin and death have been defeated
The redeemed of God are now seated
With Him in heavenly places
Free of sin and its disgraces
The slain Lamb of God is alive
And hope once dead is now revived
For our life is bound up in His
Rescued from out of the abyss
Redeemed and called His own
Redeemed and no longer alone
Redeemed and no longer dead in sin
Resurrected to new life in Him
Hallelujah, He is risen!
