10 Worship Songs Celebrating The Empty Grave (The Event)

The entire Christian faith hinges on a single event: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote, if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless. The empty grave is not just a historical footnote; it is the source of our living hope.

Songs about the empty grave are distinct from general praise songs. They are storytelling anthems that focus on the stone being rolled away, the folded grave clothes, and the defeat of death. These songs are essential for Easter, but they are powerful reminders for any Sunday that the grave could not hold Him.

Why These Songs Bring Life

We selected these songs because:

  • They are narrative. They tell the story of the three days, taking the congregation from the cross to the tomb to the resurrection.
  • They are triumphant. They celebrate the absolute victory of Jesus over the enemy.
  • They are evidential. They focus on the physical proof—the empty tomb—that fuels our faith.

10 Songs To Shout “He Is Risen”

  1. O Praise The Name (Anastasis) – “Then on the third at break of dawn.” This modern hymn captures the narrative perfectly. It walks through the crucifixion, the burial, and the glorious moment when “the Son of Heaven rose again.” It is a theological masterpiece.
  2. Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) – “The moon and stars they wept, the morning sun was dead.” This song builds tension by describing the sorrow of the grave before exploding into the victory of the resurrection. The declaration “The ground began to shake” is a powerful moment for the church.
  3. Living Hope – “Then came the morning that sealed the promise.” Phil Wickham’s anthem connects the empty tomb to our personal salvation. It reminds us that because the stone was rolled away, we have a “living hope” that cannot be destroyed.
  4. Christ Is Risen – “Trampling over death by death.” This song is a militant celebration of the resurrection. It taunts death (“Where is your sting?”) and declares that the power of hell has been broken.
  5. Resurrecting – “The tomb where soldiers watched in vain was borrowed for three days.” This song highlights the temporary nature of the grave. It beautifully links the resurrection of Jesus to the resurrection He is doing in us right now.
  6. No Body – “There’s no body in the grave.” Elevation Worship takes a funkier, more upbeat approach to the story. It focuses on the physical absence of Jesus’ body as the ultimate proof of His divinity.
  7. Rattle! – “Friday’s disappointment is Sunday’s empty tomb.” This is a high-energy song about the sound of resurrection. It prophesies that just as Jesus walked out of the grave, dry bones are coming to life today.
  8. Sunday Is Coming – “But Sunday is coming.” This song captures the anticipation of the resurrection. It is perfect for Good Friday or the beginning of an Easter service, building the excitement for the inevitable victory.
  9. Low In The Grave He Lay (Christ Arose) – “Up from the grave He arose!” This classic hymn builds from a somber verse to a triumphant chorus. It is a timeless way to celebrate the moment life conquered death.
  10. Because He Lives – “An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.” This Gaither classic connects the historical event to our daily anxiety. Because the tomb is empty, “I can face tomorrow.”

Example “Resurrection” Setlists

Setlist 1 (The Story)

  1. Sunday Is Coming – The anticipation.
  2. Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) – The moment of victory.
  3. O Praise The Name (Anastasis) – The theological response.

Setlist 2 (High Energy Celebration)

  1. Rattle! – Prophesying life.
  2. No Body – Celebrating the proof.
  3. Living Hope – Personalizing the victory.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Don’t wait for Easter. The resurrection is relevant every Sunday. Use Living Hope in July to remind people that their hope isn’t seasonal; it’s eternal.
  • Build the narrative. When using O Praise The Name, encourage the congregation to visualize the scene. Read Matthew 28:1-6 before the song to set the stage.
  • Celebrate the “Now.” Use Resurrecting to bridge the gap between history and today. Remind people that the same Spirit that raised Jesus is available to raise their dead marriage or dead dreams.

Next Steps

The empty tomb changes everything. This Sunday, use Forever to remind your church that death has lost its sting and the grave has been overwhelmed.