8 Worship Songs Celebrating The Empty Tomb (He Is Risen)

The empty tomb is the pivot point of history. Without it, the cross is just a tragedy; with it, the cross is a victory. As the angel declared in Matthew 28:6, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”

While we celebrate the resurrection every Easter, the truth of the empty tomb should echo in our services year-round. These songs focus specifically on that Sunday morning moment—the rolled-away stone, the folded grave clothes, and the breath of life returning to the lungs of the Savior. They are anthems of pure triumph.

Why These Songs Anchor Our Faith

We selected these songs because:

  • They are historical. They treat the resurrection not as a metaphor, but as a physical event that actually happened.
  • They are triumphant. The mood of these songs is victorious. They celebrate the defeat of death and the grave.
  • They are doctrinal. They teach the essential theology that Jesus is the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep.

8 Songs That Declare “He Is Risen”

  1. Christ Is Risen – “Trampling over death by death.” This song captures the paradox and power of the resurrection. It is an energetic, driving anthem that invites the church to taunt the grave: “Where is your sting?”
  2. Low In The Grave He Lay (Christ Arose) – This hymn builds tension like no other. The verses are somber and slow, reflecting the waiting of Saturday, before exploding into the joyful chorus: “Up from the grave He arose!”
  3. Living Hope – “Then the morning that You rose, all of heaven held its breath.” This song beautifully narrates the moment the stone was rolled away and the silence of the tomb was broken by the roar of the Lion of Judah.
  4. Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) – This track dramatizes the resurrection. It describes the war in heaven, the shaking ground, and the ultimate defeat of death. The “Hallelujah” chorus is a massive, victorious sound.
  5. O Praise The Name (Anastasis) – The third verse of this song is pure poetry: “Then on the third at break of dawn, the Son of heaven rose again.” It allows the congregation to visualize the trampled death and the risen King.
  6. Resurrecting – “The tomb where soldiers watched in vain was borrowed for three days.” This song connects the resurrection of Jesus to our own spiritual resurrection, declaring that the same Spirit is waking us up.
  7. Glorious Day – The resurrection wasn’t just for Jesus; it was for us. This song celebrates the moment He walked out of the grave and called us to follow Him into the light. It is high-energy and full of life.
  8. Happy Day – Sometimes the only appropriate response to the empty tomb is pure joy. “Oh what a glorious day, what a glorious way.” This song captures the excitement of the first believers realizing He was alive.

Example Resurrection Setlists

Setlist 1 (The Story of Sunday)

  1. Low In The Grave He Lay (Christ Arose) – Starts with the tension of the grave and the release of the resurrection.
  2. O Praise The Name (Anastasis) – Continues the narrative with a focus on His victory.
  3. Christ Is Risen – Ends with a defiant declaration over death.

Setlist 2 (Alive and Free)

  1. Glorious Day – Celebrates the personal impact of the empty tomb.
  2. Happy Day – Keeps the energy high and joyful.
  3. Living Hope – Anchors the joy in deep theology.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Use dynamics. The resurrection is dramatic. When singing Low In The Grave He Lay, keep the verses agonizingly slow and quiet, then let the band explode on the chorus to mirror the event.
  • Don’t wait for Easter. Every Sunday is resurrection Sunday. Sing Christ Is Risen in July or October to remind your church that the tomb is still empty.
  • Preach the fact. Before leading Forever, remind the people that we are not singing a fairy tale. We are singing about a historical fact that changed the world.

Next Steps

Is your setlist too focused on our problems or God’s victory? This Sunday, swap a song about struggle for Christ Is Risen. Remind the room that because He lives, the struggle doesn’t get the final word.

By Lucas Barnett, WorshipChords Editorial Staff

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