The Worship Initiative - Praise the King Lyrics
Lyrics
There's a reason why the curse of sin is broken
There's a reason why the darkness runs from light
There's a reason why we stand here now forgiven
Jesus is alive
There's a reason why we are not overtaken
There's a reason we sing on through the night
There's a reason why our hope remains eternal
Jesus is alive
Praise the King, He is risen
Praise the King, He's alive
Praise the King, death's defeated
Hallelujah He's alive
Hallelujah He's alive
There's a reason why our hearts can be courageous
There's a reason why the dead are made alive
There's a reason why we share His resurrection
Jesus is alive
Praise the King, He is risen
Praise the King, He's alive
Praise the King, death's defeated
Hallelujah He's alive
Hallelujah He's alive
The grave could not ignore it
When all of heaven's roaring
Hell, where is your victory
Death where is your sting
The world could not ignore it
When all the saints are roaring
Hell, where is your victory
Death where is your sting
The grave could not ignore it
When all of heaven's roaring
Hell, where is your victory
Death where is your sting
The world could not ignore it
When all the saints are roaring
Hell, where is your victory
Death where is your sting
Praise the King, He is risen
Praise the King, He's alive
Praise the King, death's defeated
Hallelujah He's alive
Hallelujah He's alive
Hallelujah He's alive
Hallelujah He's alive
Video
Praise the King
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on September 29, 2016, The Worship Initiative's "Praise the King" emerges as a resounding declaration of the core tenets of Christian faith, serving as both a worship anthem and a profound theological statement. The song meticulously unpacks the "reasons why" believers experience freedom, hope, and new life, all pointing to the singular, triumphant reality of Jesus' resurrection. It isn't just a song about faith; it's an immersive experience into the victorious aftermath of the cross and empty tomb.
The narrative structure of "Praise the King" is built upon a series of rhetorical questions and answers, beginning with the foundational truth of redemption. Each verse opens with "There's a reason why," meticulously detailing the transformative effects of Christ's work. The breaking of the curse of sin and the flight of darkness from light vividly portray the spiritual warfare won, aligning with Colossians 1:13-14, which states that God has "rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." Our standing "forgiven" is a direct result of Christ's sacrifice, a grace celebrated in Ephesians 1:7. The declaration "Jesus is alive" isn't merely a statement but the powerful explanation for every blessing that follows, echoing the very essence of the Easter message.
The song continues to explore the ongoing implications of this resurrection truth. The assurance that we are "not overtaken" and can "sing on through the night" speaks to God's enduring protection and presence amidst trials, reflecting promises found in passages like Isaiah 43:2, which assures us that when we pass through waters or rivers, they will not sweep over us. Our "eternal hope" is not fleeting but firmly anchored in Christ's victory, as articulated in 1 Peter 1:3-4, where we are given a "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." This living hope provides the courage for our hearts and breathes life into the spiritually dead, demonstrating the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as described in Ephesians 2:4-5, making us "alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions." Sharing in His resurrection is not just a future promise but a present reality, a spiritual union with Christ's new life as Romans 6:4 explains.
The chorus, a commanding call to "Praise the King," serves as the central response to these profound truths. It directly celebrates Christ's bodily resurrection – "He is risen," "He's alive" – and the ultimate consequence of this event: "death's defeated." This triumph is the very heart of the Gospel, echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, where Paul exclaims, "Death has been swallowed up in victory!" The repeated "Hallelujah, He's alive" is an unbridled expression of joy and adoration, a universal acclamation of God's saving power.
The bridge elevates the song's declaration to a cosmic scale, asserting the undeniable nature of Christ's triumph. "The grave could not ignore it when all of heaven's roaring" paints a vivid picture of the divine response to Jesus' resurrection, a seismic event that shook the foundations of creation. This imagery is powerfully paired with the defiant challenge, "Hell, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?" These are direct quotes from 1 Corinthians 15:55 and Hosea 13:14, not just rhetorical flourishes but ancient prophecies fulfilled. They declare the utter impotence of spiritual enemies in the face of Christ's victory. The world, too, cannot ignore this truth, especially "when all the saints are roaring," signifying the church's collective voice proclaiming Christ's lordship over all creation and powers, a truth affirmed in Colossians 2:15. This robust, declarative language serves not only to inspire but to anchor believers in the unwavering certainty of God's triumph, reminding us that our hope is not built on speculation, but on a historical event with eternal implications. "Praise the King" is therefore more than a song; it is a sermon in melody, a testament to the unchanging power of Christ's resurrection that motivates and transforms, inviting all who engage with it to join in the unceasing adoration of the Victorious One.