Author and Composer --Alfred H. Ackley, 1887-1960
"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:6
"Why should I worship a dead Jew?" This challenging question was posed by a sincere young Jewish student who had been attending evangelistic meetings conducted by the author and composer of this hymn, Alfred H. Ackley. In his book, Forty Gospel Hymn Stories, George W. Sanville records Mr. Ackley's answer to this searching question, which ultimately prompted the writing of this popular gospel hymn: "He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands."
Mr. Sanville continues:
"Mr. Ackley's forthright, emphatic answer, together with his subsequent triumphant effort to win the man for Christ, flowered forth into song and crystallized into a convincing sermon on 'He Lives!' His keenly alert mind was sensitive to suggestions for sermons, and sermons in song. In his re-reading of the resurrection stories of the Gospels, the words 'He is risen' struck him with new meaning. From the thrill within his own soul came the convincing song--'He Lives!' The scriptural evidence, his own heart, and the testimony of history matched the glorious experience of an innumerable cloud of witnesses that 'He Lives,' so he sat down at the piano and voiced that conclusion in song. He says, 'The thought of His ever-living presence brought the music promptly and easily.'"
The hymn first appeared in Triumphant Service Songs, a hymnal published by the Rodeheaver Company, in 1933. It has been a favourite with evangelical congregations to the present time.