Christ is risen! Christ is risen!

“Christ Is Risen! Christ Is Risen!” is a triumphant Easter hymn written by Archer Thompson Gurney and first published in his collection A Book of Praise in 1862. The hymn celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and proclaims His victory over death. Its repeated opening declaration gives the text the character of a joyful Easter proclamation, inviting the whole creation to rejoice because the crucified Saviour lives again. The resurrection is presented not merely as a comforting symbol, but as the decisive victory of Christ and the foundation of Christian hope.

The hymn reflects the biblical accounts of the empty tomb and the announcement that Jesus has risen. In Matthew 28:6, the angel declares, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said” (KJV). This announcement confirms the fulfilment of Christ's own words and marks the turning point from the sorrow of the crucifixion to the joy of the resurrection. The hymn celebrates the breaking of death's bonds and the vindication of the One who suffered on the cross. Its message also reflects 1 Corinthians 15:20, which calls Christ “the firstfruits of them that slept,” connecting His resurrection with the future resurrection of His people.

The hymn looks beyond Easter morning to Christ's continuing reign at the Father's right hand and His promised return. Its royal imagery presents the risen Lord as victorious over every enemy, while its expectation of His coming again recalls the New Testament promise that Christ will return for His people. This combination of resurrection joy and future hope makes the hymn suitable not only for Easter Sunday but also for services celebrating Christ's kingship and the promise of eternal life.

The tune RESURREXIT, composed by Arthur Seymour Sullivan in the nineteenth century, became a well-known musical setting for this text. The hymn's meter is irregular because of its distinctive alternating lines and repeated refrain. Historical hymnals contain several textual versions, including revisions that differ from Gurney's original wording. When cataloguing a particular version, the lyrics and tune should be matched to the specific hymnal edition being used. The hymn remains a strong expression of the central Christian proclamation that Jesus Christ has risen and reigns in victory.