All the Earth with Joy Is Sounding

This Easter hymn was written by me in 1995 during my pastorate at Grace Lutheran Church in Middletown, Connecticut and was first included in Hymnal Supplement 98. In this hymn, I sought to explore less commonly used Easter themes: Christ as the greater Jonah, the stronger strong man, and the author of salvation.  The strong tune MICHAEL was composed by Herbert Howells (1892-1983) around 1930 and was named after his son who had died at the age of 9 from meningitis in 1929.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4TUej8B2iI

1.

All the earth with joy is sounding:

    Christ has risen from the dead!

He, the greater Jonah, bounding

    From the grave, His three-day bed,

        Wins the prize:

        Death’s demise—

    Songs of triumph fill the skies.

2. 

Christ, the devil’s might unwinding,

    Leaves behind His borrowed tomb.

Stronger He, the strong man binding,

    Takes, disarms his house of doom;

        In the rout

        Casting out

    Pow’rs of darkness, sin, and doubt.

3. 

Jesus, author of salvation,

    Shared in our humanity;

Crowned with radiant exaltation,

    Now He shares His victory!

        From His face

        Shines the grace

    Meant for all our fallen race.

4. 

Praise the Lord, His reign commences,

    Reign of life and liberty—

Paschal Lamb, for our offenses

    Slain and raised to set us free!

        Evermore

        Bow before

    Christ, the Lord of Life adore!