by Pastor Clinton Macomber
"Christ Arose" was written by Robert Lowry (1826-1899). He was born in Philadelphia on March 12, 1826. He accepted Christ as his Savior when 17. He was a professor of literature at Bucknell University, and a doctorate degree with honors there. He served as a Baptist preacher in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City, and Brooklyn.[1] All of which were important churches.[2]
As a minister of the gospel, he had keen insight and administrative ability. He was known as a thorough Bible scholar and brilliant but captivating orator. Few have the skill to paint word pictures and inspire a congregation. Music and hymn studies were his favorite study, but always as a hobby. His main interest was preaching God's Word.[3]
In 1968, he was chosen by Biglow Music Company, after the death of William Bradbury to be the music editor. He edited over 20 Sunday school songbooks, one of which sold over one million copies.[4]
He had no formal music composition training, yet he wrote many well-known hymns. A few examples are: "Shall We Gather at the River?" and "Nothing but the Blood." He wrote the music for "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" and for Isaac Watt's poem, "We're Marching to Zion."[5]
The text and music of this hymn was written in 1874 and based on Luke 24:6, "He is not here, but is risen."[6] He was having devotions from that passage, and soon found himself seated at his little pump organ and the hymn and music quickly came together.[7]
1 Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior!
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!
2 Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!
3 Death cannot keep his prey,
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!
Chorus Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever With His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose![8]
Endnotes
1 K.W.Osbeck. More Hymn Stories. (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1985), page 57.
2K. W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990). Page 127.
3 Osbeck, More… page 57.
4 Osbeck, More…page 57.
5 Osbeck, More…page 134.
6 William J. Reynolds. Companion to Baptist Hymnal. (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1976), page 138
7 Osbeck, More…page 58
8Logos Hymnal, 1st edition. (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995).
