We Crown You With Praise

"Don't be alarmed," he told them. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.' "
(Mark 16:6-7) (HCSB)


Happy Easter! Or better yet, Happy Resurrection Day! JESUS IS ALIVE forevermore! As a Christian, this is probably the most exciting Sunday of the year as we celebrate our living Savior. We know through Christ's resurrection that we have victory over death and the grave, and a hope for the future. And as the Bill Gaither song goes, "and life is worth the living just because He lives!"

Back in 1998 I wrote a simple praise chorus called "We Crown You With Praise" which we sung in corporate worship services at church. A few years later, God gave me some more lyrics which expanded the chorus into a full-length song which briefly tells the story of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Worship the One who was, and is, and is to come (Rev. 1:8) as you read these lyrics:

(verse 1)Lord when I think of all the pain that You went through

the glory that You left behind and what You chose to do

to be born on earth in human form

so that You could save the lost

I realize how much I have and O, how great the cost

'cause You bore the stripes upon Your back,

the crown of thorns upon Your head

Oh the nails pierced both Your hands and feet

Still, You prayed to God and said,

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

And they laughed at You, the King of the Jews

(chorus) King Jesus, we crown You with praise,
the Lord of lords and the Ancient of Days.
You wore a crown of thorns when the cross was raised,
But now we're gonna crown You with praise.

(verse 2)You could have called ten thousand angels on that day
But You surrendered to the Father's will

'cause it was the only way

to redeem us from our sinful path so that we could be restored

Lord You gave Your all on Calvary, how can that be ignored?

Though You carried my cross upon Your back

It was my sin that weighed You down

You were pierced for my transgressions

as Your love flowed to the ground

Father, forgive me for I know that I'm to blame

for Your broken heart as You suffered in shame

(repeat chorus)

'cause You bore the stripes upon Your back

the crown of thorns upon Your head

Oh, the nails pierced both Your hands and feet

But You rose up from the dead, Risen forevermore

Through eternity You'll reign

And I'll be with You still praising Your name
(repeat chorus)

Jesus is risen forevermore, and He will reign through all eternity! Because of His ultimate sacrifice and the fact that He rose from the dead, we have hope for a glorious future with Him in paradise if we have a real, personal relationship with Him. He is the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 22:13), the risen Lamb of God Who is worthy of our praise (Rev. 5:12-14). Praise His holy name!


Joey C.