David Phelps - He's Alive Lyrics
Lyrics
The gates and doors were barred
All the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breaking through
To drag us all away
Then just before the sunrise
Heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldier's feet
But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told us where she'd been
She said they've moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where
The stone's been rolled away
And now His body isn't there
So we both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they'd wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they'd taken Him
It was more than I could tell
Oh, something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn't lift me very high
'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him
Then I saw Him die
Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I'd promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
So even if He was alive
It could never be the same
Then suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove shadows from the room
Then Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And just clung to Him and cried
But then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
Love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt and my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace
He's alive, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
Music In This Video:
Song He's Alive
Artist David Phelps
Writers Don Francisco
Video
Bill & Gloria Gaither - He's Alive [Live] ft. David Phelps, Gaither Vocal Band
Meaning & Inspiration
David Phelps' rendition of "He's Alive," released on June 22, 2012, as part of a live performance with the Gaither Vocal Band, is a profound and powerfully delivered testament to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The song, penned by Don Francisco, plunges us into the immediate aftermath of the crucifixion, capturing the raw fear, confusion, and despair experienced by Jesus' followers. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of one of the disciples, likely Peter, as he grapples with the unimaginable loss. The opening verses paint a vivid picture of a somber world, with barred doors and fastened windows reflecting the disciples' sense of isolation and dread, fearing further persecution. This atmosphere of hopelessness is palpable, echoing the despair felt by many facing profound grief and uncertainty.
The turning point arrives with Mary Magdalene's urgent message: the tomb is empty. The lyrics meticulously trace the disciples' journey to the garden, driven by a desperate hope mingled with lingering disbelief. The discovery of the empty grave and the discarded burial cloths, while confirming Mary's account, initially breeds more questions than answers. The narrator’s internal struggle is central here; his mind is caught between the intellectual weight of what he witnessed – the crucifixion and death of Jesus – and the dawning possibility of the impossible. This internal conflict, where “circumstance and speculation” cannot provide the solace he desperately needs, resonates deeply with the human struggle to reconcile faith with observed reality, a struggle mirroring Thomas’s own need for tangible proof, as described in John 20:25.
The song masterfully pivots to the personal and the transformative. Returning to the confines of the house, the narrator is consumed by the crushing weight of his denial, the promise he broke, and the shame that follows. This introspection is crucial, highlighting that even in the face of extraordinary events, personal failure can cast a long shadow. It is in this moment of profound brokenness that the resurrection truly breaks through. The arrival of Jesus is depicted not just as a visual spectacle but as an immersive spiritual experience, marked by a "strange and sweet perfume" and a light that dispels all darkness. This encounter, where Jesus stands with "arms held open wide," is the emotional and theological climax. The profound relief and overwhelming love experienced by the narrator as he falls to his knees and clings to the resurrected Christ is a powerful depiction of redemption, a release from guilt and confusion into an abiding peace, perfectly aligned with promises like Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Phelps' vocal delivery amplifies the song's profound message, conveying both the initial anguish and the ultimate triumph with remarkable clarity and emotional depth. The repeated refrain, "He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven. Heaven's gates are open wide," serves as an anchor of hope and assurance. It is more than just a declaration of fact; it is a personal testimony of the transformative power of Christ's resurrection, signifying not only His victory over death but also the believer’s liberation from sin and the promise of eternal life. The song’s enduring power lies in its ability to connect the historical event of the resurrection with the personal experience of redemption, offering inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose to all who hear it.