Matthew 28:6
Words by Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music From Lyra Davidica, 1708
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The first Wesleyan Chapel in London, England, was a deserted iron
foundry. It became known as the Foundry Meeting House. This hymn
was written by Charles Wesley for the first service in this chapel
in 1739, just one year after Charles's dramatic Aldersgate
conversion experience. The hymn was first published in the
Foundry's Collection-which contained "hymns set to music as they
are commonly sung at the Foundry." The book had approximately
fifty humns with an additional Psalm Supplement. This hymn was
originally entitled "Hymn for Easter Day" and consisted of eleven
four-line stanzas.
The popularity of this hymn is due in part to the fine tune with
which it has been wedded for many years. The composer of the music
has never been identified. The tune first appeared anonymously in
the Lyra Davidica humnal, published in London in 1708. The joyous
"alleluia" at the end of each line was not written by Wesley but
was added by some editor to make the text fit the tune.
"Hallelujah" or "alleluia" is from the ancient Hebrew worship
service and was a common expression of praise in the early
Christian Church. Jerome, an important leader of the early church
who translated the Bible into the Latin language and died c. 420
A. D., wrote that in his day the very ceilings of houses of
worship were often shaken with the reverberating "Hallelujahs"
when believers sang their praises to God.
Charles Wesley is also the author of "Jesus, Lover of My Soul", "O for a Thousand Tongues", "A Charge to Keep I
Have", "Depth of Mercy", and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".
Quoted from "101 Hymn Stories" by Kenneth Osbeck. Kregel Publishers, P.O. Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, 1982.
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