Wipe away those tears, child
There’s no need to cry
Stand up on your feet, now
Lift your head up high
Don’t wait til tomorrow
To lay down your sorrow
Freedom is here today
Wipe away those tears, child
Put down your shame
I see an empty grave
I hear the heavens waking
Angels in jubilation
That stone’s been rolled away
I feel the darkness breaking
I bet the devil’s shaking
Somebody celebrate
I see an empty grave
Wipe away those tears, child
There’s no need to cry
Stand up on your feet, now
Lift your head up high
Don’t wait til tomorrow
To lay down your sorrow
Freedom is here today
Wipe away those tears, child
Put down your shame
I see an empty grave
I hear the heavens waking
Angels in jubilation
That stone’s been rolled away
I feel the darkness breaking
I bet the devil’s shaking
Somebody celebrate
I see an empty grave
Wipe away those tears, child
Go and tell the news
What started in the garden
Was finished in the tomb
Its all reversed
The apple, the curse
Three days in the ground
Christ our Lord is risen
Death couldn’t hold him down
Empty Grave
Empty Grave Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Zach Williams' song "Empty Grave," released with its video on February 28, 2020, is a powerful declaration centered on the cornerstone of Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The song opens with a direct address to the listener, offering comfort and encouragement to overcome sorrow and shame. The verses serve as a personal invitation to leave behind burdens, emphasizing that "freedom is here today." This message sets the stage for the triumphant chorus, which paints a vivid picture of the resurrection event.
The central image presented in the chorus is the "empty grave," a symbol of Christ's victory over death. The lyrics evoke the scene at the tomb, mentioning the stone being "rolled away" and describing the resulting celestial joy – "heavens waking," "angels in jubilation." This moment is portrayed not just as a historical event but as a source of profound transformation and power in the present, causing "darkness breaking" and the ultimate adversary, the devil, to be "shaking." The call to "somebody celebrate" underscores the immense significance and joy associated with the empty tomb.
The song's narrative deepens in the final verse by connecting the resurrection back to the origin of human sin and suffering. It draws a parallel between "what started in the garden" (referencing the fall in Genesis) and "was finished in the tomb." This highlights the Christian belief that Christ's death and resurrection reversed the curse brought about by disobedience. The phrase "Its all reversed / The apple, the curse" succinctly captures this theological concept, culminating in the declaration that after "three days in the ground," "Christ our Lord is risen, death couldn’t hold him down." This directly references scripture like 1 Corinthians 15:55, "O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?" and Romans 6:9, "knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him." The command "Go and tell the news" echoes the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, urging believers to share this life-altering message.
The song resonates deeply with scripture that speaks to the power of the resurrection. The empty tomb is described in passages such as Luke 24:1-3 and John 20:1-9. The rolling away of the stone is mentioned in Matthew 28:2. The defeat of death and the hope this brings is a central theme in 1 Corinthians 15 and Romans 8:11. The freedom from sin and shame is spoken of in Romans 8:2 and John 8:36. "Empty Grave" effectively distills these core biblical truths into a contemporary anthem of hope and liberation, reminding listeners that because the grave is empty, their sorrow and shame need not be permanent.
