Church Communications Blog

Top 25 Worship Songs to Play on Easter Sunday

Written by Samantha Decker | Apr 2, 2019 3:17:00 PM

It’s no secret that Easter Sunday is to your church what the super bowl is to football...it’s a big deal! The pews will be packed, family members will be in town, and people who haven’t been to church in a year (or more!) might be in attendance. Because of this, you want to make sure that every element of your Easter worship (especially your Easter worship songs) points to Jesus -- the risen savior!

For many of us who work for a church, the task can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the Easter worship songs. There are so many amazing Easter worship songs out there, but on Easter it’s important that even the messaging in the songs is pointing to the resurrection, the power of Jesus, and the freedom we have in Him. To help narrow down your Easter worship songs search, we’ve come up with a list of the top 25 Easter worship songs to play on Easter Sunday.

This ultimate list of Easter worship songs covers well known worship songs and hymns as well as some brand new ones and some you may have never heard of. With each Easter worship song we’ve listed, we included the writers, CCLI number and link for easy planning, a YouTube link to our favorite version of the song and our favorite lyrics for each of the Easter worship songs listed.

We pray that this list of Easter worship songs helps take some of the work off of your plate, and allows you to focus even more on preparing to lead your church through an amazing time of worship to Jesus, the One who conquered death for us!

Because He Lives (Amen) – Matt Maher

Writers: Matt Maher, Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Daniel Carson, Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither

CCLI# 7027887

Favorite Version: Because He Lives (Amen) – Matt Maher

Favorite Lyrics:

Because He lives

I can face tomorrow

Because He lives

Every fear is gone

I know He holds my life my future in His hands

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

 

Champion – Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Writers: Bryan & Katie Torwalt

CCLI# 7065984

Favorite Version: Champion – Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Favorite Lyrics:

O victory, You have won

Victorious, You have come

What was stolen, You brought back to us

Our Champion, You fight for us

You made a way where there was none

Our Champion, You’re strong in us

The debt we owed, You paid in blood

 

Christ the Lord is Risen Today (He is Not Dead) – NCC Worship

Writers: Charles Wesley, Kurtis Parks, Samuel Arnold

CCLI# 7019316

Favorite Version: Christ the Lord is Risen Today (He is Not Dead) - NCC Worship

Favorite Lyrics:

Christ the Lord is risen today

Alleluia

Sons of men and angels say

Alleluia

Raise your joys and triumphs high

Alleluia

Sing ye heavens and earth reply

Alleluia

Lives again our glorious King

Alleluia

Where O death is now thy sting

Alleluia

 

Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) – Kari Jobe

Writers: Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Gabriel Wilson, Jenn Johnson, Joel Taylor & Kari Jobe

CCLI# 7001228

Favorite Version: Forever (LIVE) – Kari Jobe

Favorite Lyrics:

One final breath He gave

As heaven looked away

The son of God was laid in darkness

A battle in the grave

The war on death was waged

The power of hell forever broken

The ground began to shake

The stone was rolled away

His perfect love could not be overcome

Now death where is your sting?

Our resurrected King

Has rendered you defeated

 

For The Cross – Bethel Music

Writers: Jenn Johnson, Ian McIntosh & Gabriel Wilson

CCLI# 7001238

Favorite Version: For The Cross – Brian & Jenn Johnson

Favorite Lyrics:

Hallelujah, what a Savior

Hallelujah, what a friend

Hallelujah, King forever

We thank You for the cross

 

Glorious Day – Passion, Kristian Stanfill

Writers: Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Kristian Stanfill, Sean Curran

CCLI# 7081388

Favorite Version: Passion - Glorious Day (Live) ft. Kristian Stanfill

Favorite Lyrics:

I was buried beneath my shame

Who could carry that kind of weight

It was my tomb

Till I met You

I was breathing, but not alive

All my failures I tried to hide

It was my tomb

Till I met You

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

 

God is Alive – Fee

Writers: Eddie Kirkland, Steve Fee

CCLI# 625619

Favorite Version: God is Alive - Steve Fee (Album Version)

Favorite Lyrics:

Let the darkness flee

It's got no power over me

I have been set free, God is alive

Death where is your sting

Sin has got no hold on me

I am free indeed. God is alive.

We've been redeemed

So rise and sing

 

Great Are You Lord – All Sons & Daughters

Writers: David Leonard, Jason Ingram & Leslie Jordan

CCLI# 6460220

Favorite Version: Great Are You Lord – One Sonic Society

Favorite Lyrics:

You give life, You are love

You bring light to the darkness

You give hope, You restore

Every heart that is broken

Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs

So we pour out our praise

We pour out our praise

It’s Your breath in our lungs

So we pour out our praise

To You only

 

He Lives – Chris Tomlin

Writers: Ben Cantelon, Chris Tomlin, Nick Herbert, Reuben Morgan

CCLI# 7072571

Favorite Version: He Lives - Chris Tomlin

Favorite Lyrics:

He lives reigning in power

He lives, name above all names

Hallelujah now forever

Hallelujah Christ is risen!

 

Hope Is Alive – Kristene DiMarco

Writers: Kristene DiMarco, Brian Johnson, Matt Hammitt, Bill Johnson & Sean Feucht

CCLI# 7086097

Favorite Version: Hope Is Alive (LIVE) – Kristene DiMarco

Favorite Lyrics:

The Son of God hung on the cross

The day was dark and all felt lost

But stirring underneath the surface

The Lamb of God fighting for us

Hope is alive today, He is alive today

The stone was rolled away

Death defeated in His grave

Hope is alive today, He is alive today

No matter what we face

We overcome in Jesus’ name

 

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us – Stuart Townend

Writers: Stuart Townend

CCLI# 1558110

Favorite Version: How Deep The Father’s Love For Us – Austin Stone Worship Live

Favorite Lyrics:

Behold the man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

 

I Will Rise – Chris Tomlin

Writers: Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Louie Giglio, Matt Maher

CCLI# 5183450

Favorite Version: I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin

Favorite Lyrics:

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

 

In Christ Alone – Keith & Kristyn Getty

Writers: Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

CCLI# 3350395

Favorite Version: In Christ Alone – Owl City

Favorite Lyrics:

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

 

Jesus Died My Soul To Save – Pocket Full of Rocks

Writers: Matt Boswell, Michael Farren

CCLI# 5507074

Favorite Version: Jesus Died My Soul To Save - Pocket Full of Rocks

Favorite Lyrics:

Come you broken, bound by sin

And let your weary journey end

Come and lay your burdens down

Where mercy rules and peace abounds

What depth of love, what reach of grace

Oh, how my grateful heart now aches

To sing it louder, the refrain

Jesus died, my soul to save

Jesus died, my soul to save

 

Jesus is Better – Austin Stone Worship Feat. Aaron Ivey

Writers: Aaron Ivey, Brett Land

CCLI# 7006188

Favorite Version: Jesus is Better – Austin Stone Worship Feat. Aaron Ivey

Favorite Lyrics:

Your kindly rule has shattered and broken the curse of sin's tyranny

My life is hidden 'neath Heaven's shadow, Your crimson flood covers me

Your crimson flood covers me

Glory, glory, we have no other king

But Jesus Lord of all

Raise the anthem, our loudest praises ring

We crown Him Lord of all

 

My Victory – David Crowder

Writers: David Crowder, Hank Bentley, Ed Cash & Darren Mulligan

CCLI# 7054548

Favorite Version: My Victory (LIVE) – Crowder & Passion

Favorite Lyrics:

You came for criminals and every pharisee

You came for hypocrites, even one like me

You carried sin and shame the guilt of every man

The weight of all I’ve done nailed into Your hands

Oh, Your love bled for me

Oh, Your blood in crimson streams

Oh, Your death is hell’s defeat

A cross meant to kill is my victory

 

O Praise The Name (Anastasis) – Hillsong Worship

Writers: Dean Ussher, Marty Sampson & Benjamin Hastings

CCLI # 7037787

Favorite Version: O Praise The Name + Praise The Lord Oh My Soul (Sean Feucht)

Favorite Lyrics:

I cast my mind to Calvary

Where Jesus bled and died for me

I see His wounds, His hands, His feet

My Saviour on that cursed tree

His body bound and drenched in tears

They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb

The entrance sealed by heavy stone

Messiah still and all alone

O praise the name of the Lord our God

O praise His name forevermore

For endless days we will sing Your praise

Oh Lord, oh Lord our God

 

Raised to Life – Elevation Worship

Writers: Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matt Redman, Steven Furtick

CCLI # 7011534

Favorite Version: Raised to Life (live) Elevation Worship

Favorite Lyrics:

Raised to life with Christ the Savior

In His name a new creation

Now our song will rise

Adoring Christ the Lord

Sin was strong

But Jesus is stronger

Our shame was great

But Jesus You're greater

 

Resurrecting – Elevation Worship

Writers: Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matthew Ntele, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye

CCLI # 7051507

Favorite Version: Resurrecting (LIVE) - Elevation Worship

Favorite Lyrics:

The head that once was crowned with thorns

Is crowned with glory now

The Savior knelt to wash our feet

Now at His feet we bow

The One who wore our sin and shame

Now robed in majesty

The radiance of perfect love

Now shines for all to see

Your name, Your name

Is victory

All praise, will rise

To Christ, our king

 

Resurrection Power – Chris Tomlin

Writers: Ed Cash, Ryan Ellis, Tony Brown

CCLI # 7102607

Favorite Version: Resurrection Power - Chris Tomlin

Favorite Lyrics:

Now I have resurrection power

Living on the inside

Jesus, You have given us freedom

No longer bound by sin and darkness

Living in the light of Your goodness

You have given us freedom

 

Same Power – Jeremy Camp

Writers: Jason Ingram & Jeremy Camp

CCLI # 7031700

Favorite Version: Same Power (LIVE) – Jeremy Camp

Favorite Lyrics:

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave

The same power that commands the dead to wake

Lives in us, lives in us

The same power that moves mountains when He speaks

The same power that can calm a raging sea

Lives in us, lives in us

He lives in us, lives in us

 

Surrounded (Fight My Battles) – Michael W. Smith

Writers: Elyssa Smith

CCLI # 7098758

Favorite Version: (Surrounded) Fight My Battles | Josh Baldwin | Bethel Church

Favorite Lyrics:

The Word says for the spirit of heaviness

Put on the garment of praise

That's how we fight our battles

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

It may look like I'm surrounded but I'm surrounded by You

It may look like I'm surrounded but I'm surrounded by You

 

This Is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham

Writers: Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, Phil Wickham

CCLI# 6333821

Favorite Version: This Is Amazing Grace (LIVE) – Jeremy Riddle

Favorite Lyrics:

This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You would lay down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh Jesus I sing for

All that You’ve done for me

 

We Believe – Newsboys

Writers: Matthew Hooper, Richie Fike, Travis Ryan

CCLI# 6367165

Favorite Version: We Believe (ACOUSTIC) – Lauren Daigle

Favorite Lyrics:

We believe in God the Father

We believe in Jesus Christ

We believe in the Holy Spirit

And He’s given us new life

We believe in the crucifixion

We believe that He conquered death

We believe in the resurrection

And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

 

What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship

Writers: Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood

CCLI # 7068424

Favorite Version: What a Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship

Favorite Lyrics:

You didn't want heaven without us

So Jesus, You brought heaven down

My sin was great, Your love was greater

What could separate us now

What a wonderful Name it is

What a wonderful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King