Andrew Peterson’s Resurrection Letters (Volume 1)

Hello and happy almost Easter! Today I’m going to be sharing my very favorite songs to listen to around this time of year (and the rest of the year, for that matter). Andrew Peterson’s Resurrection Letters are some of the deepest, most beautiful songs I have ever heard. If you have not listened to any of his music before, this is your excuse to do so!

That said, if you have listened to his music before, then this is your excuse to go press that play button anyway. A little more Andrew Peterson in your life isn’t going to hurt. 😉

But while I fully adore and rave about these songs, I will also admit that they can be hard to grasp the meaning of right away. Listening takes attention, but that’s a good thing, because these aren’t just songs to listen to for the tune, but for the meaning! You are going to understand something new about them every time you listen. Only two nights ago I was listening to Remember Me for about the 100th time, and I finally realized the perspective it was from!

So today I’ve written up a helpful explanation on the songs in the album. This way you will be able to jump right into the music and start discovering truths for yourself!

(Here is a quick list of the songs in the album)

1. His Heart Beats
2. Risen Indeed
3. Remember Me
4. I’ve Seen Too Much
5. Remember and Proclaim
6. Maybe Next Year
7. Rise Up
8. Is He Worthy?
9. All Things Together

His Heart Beats

This first song in the album starts off with the words of the title, and then goes on to tell about the victory that ensues. There are so many scripture references throughout it, too! Jesus is declared the Lamb of God, Lion, and Lord of All. Themes from the Old Testament are intertwined with those of the early church to tell of the victory of the resurrection.

The biggest point made in this song is found in the chorus…

He took one breath 
And put death to death 
Where is your sting, oh grave? 
How grave is your defeat!

These lines are repeated throughout the song, pointing everything back to the great victory Christ has over death. This theme is straight out of 1 Corinthians, where at the end of chapter 15 it is declared, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Risen Indeed

This song taps into the simple truth and beauty behind Jesus’s resurrection. It follows Peter to the tomb to behold the miracle that took place, and comforts Mary with the hope it brought. I love the way this song reminds us why we needed not only His death, but His resurrection. This song tells the story of mourning, new life, and the hope that reveals.

A line that always stands out to me is this one…

And Father Abraham could not have dreamed of this 
Could never understand the end of all those promises
How all the pieces fit, every star and grain of sand
Is safely hid in Jesus' hand. 

That is so beautiful.

It makes me think of a passage out of Hebrews 11. “Therefore, from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven, and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” (verse 12). This is the answer to God’s promises, and it is so much more than Abraham could ever have dreamed it would be. The resurrection is a miracle.

Remember Me

This song is obviously from the perspective of a sinner. That’s what makes it so relatable for anyone to listen to, and why I’ve always loved it (it was one of my most played songs last year).

But it wasn’t until very recently that I realized something else about it, and that is the way it aligns with the story of the thief on the cross. That is, the story of the thieves on the cross (you can read that in Luke 23:39-43)

How could I not recognize You?
How could I not recognize You?
How could I not recognize my Lord?

That is the cry sung in this song, and I suspect the first criminal, who criticized Jesus, later felt this very way. He had not honored Jesus in all His authority. So often we miss His greatness just like this thief. So often we see what he can do (just like this man) and miss who He is.

But there is another man in this story that can be found in the song, the other criminal. He saw his own faults, his very undeservance of grace. And out of that lack he pleaded to the Lord to be remembered in His Kingdom.

His plea in the Bible is almost word for word to the chorus of this song. “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”

This song is a cry for mercy and deliverance.

I’ve Seen Too Much

This song is less about the events on Easter morning, and more about what it must have been like to live after experiencing it. It begins like this…

I know it sounds crazy
But I know what I saw
When the sun came up on the brightest day
From the darkest night of all

This song mulls over the amazing miracles that happened, and the thrill of joy that comes with finding that knowledge.

I love the testimony of this song. Thomas may have touched the scars of Jesus and been shown over and over the wonders of the Lord. And he may face so many doubts that he can’t even stand. But in the end, you have either let your eyes be opened to those miracles or you haven’t.

For Thomas, Jesus opened his eyes to what is true. And that truth was enough for him. It was too much to ignore.

Remember and Proclaim

I was not very familiar with this song until recently. But I love the joyful unity in it. This song is the heart of our celebration.

We remember, we proclaim:
Christ has died, Christ has risen, 
Christ will come again!

Boiled down, that is what Easter really is. Is it really that simple? Well, Easter is the day of remembering what Jesus did, and declaring that hope, with our words and actions.

Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!

Maybe Next Year

This song is very interesting. It can be hard to follow if you don’t know a couple of the things talked about. I did a little bit of research so I can do my best to explain.

First of all is the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. This is an ancient ruin in Jerusalem that is known for being a place where people go to pray. It is an especially big part of Jewish culture, but is also a site traveled to by many Christians. That is where the singer is for this song.

Like in that city that we long for, that we feel so far away
Where the dawn will dry away our tears,
And we'll meet in the New Jerusalem some day. 

The New Jerusalem is found mentioned in Revelation 21. It is the coming city, where we will be once again reunited with Christ. The singer is desiring that day of peace and fulfillment. He is expressing his longing for the day when all the promises will come true, and we will be forever with our Lord.

Rise Up

I love this song. There is something about it that rings true to life.

It is harder to pin down specific scripture quotations in this song, but the theme very strongly resembles those of the OT.

I know you need a savior
He's patient in His anger
But He will rise up in the end

The Israelites lived in lands that weren’t theirs among their enemies. It must have felt like God had abandoned them in their trouble, or that He just didn’t care about how they were being treated.

But God hadn’t left them. And He hasn’t left us either. While He may be quiet at times, that does not mean that He is not there, or not listening. Exodus 34:6-7 gives us a good explanation of the heart of God. “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquities and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.“

God is not quick to anger, at us or others, and that patience is part of what makes Him who He is. In the end, He will bring justice to an unjust world.

Is He Worthy?

This is easily Andrew Peterson’s most well known song and the most hymn-like.

While most songs in this album gather up verses in words from all over the Bible, this song focuses closely on Revelation 5, which is one of the most an awe-filled prophesies in the Bible.

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah, who conquered the grave
He is David's root, and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave. 

After so many songs about the happenings of Easter, this song takes a step back to simply marvel at how worthy Jesus is! No one else is holy enough to sit on the throne of heaven, and no one else can defeat the Enemy and declare victory!

Only the Lamb who died is worthy of all our worship. He is worthy!

All Things Together

The final song in the album describes the attributes that Jesus possesses through a chapter out of Colossians. It is a stunning passage of scripture, and a beautiful way to finish the album.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 
Colossians 1:15-17

Final Thoughts

I think that I love this album even more after writing this post than I did before! There is so much meaning in it. No matter how many times you listen to them they never lose their beauty or become shallow.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you’ll be inspired to go listen to some of these amazing songs. If this post helped you see a song in a new way let me know by commenting below! What are your thoughts on the Resurrection Letters?