As you will see in the recording of Leonard Cohen himself performing his original “Hallelujah,” the focus is on some of what happened in the Old Testament, from David’s sin with Bathsheba to when Delilah cut Samson’s hair. While the song is a classic around the world, it doesn’t tell of the love of Christ at all. It starts,
“I’ve heard there was a secret chord,
That David played and it pleased the Lord.
But you don’t really care for music, do you?”
Watch it here:
On the other hand, Mooney’s version, the Easter Hallelujah goes through Jesus’ walk to Golgotha, how He died, and how people around saw His glory in that moment. Her version says,
“The soldier who had used his sword,
To pierce the body of our Lord.
Said, ‘Truly this was Jesus Christ, our Savior.”
He looked with fear upon his sword.
Then turn to face His Christ and Lord.
Fell to his knees, crying ‘Hallelujah.'”
The Easter Hallelujah goes on to tell how Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and wrapped in linen cloth. It tells of how Jesus was laid in the tomb and three days passed. The two sisters’ singing voices and faces gain excitement as they begin to sing how the women brought spices to care for Jesus’ body and they found the empty tomb.
Luke 24:6 tells us the angels told the women, “He is not here; he has risen!”
This was the day that changed the course of history. It set the stage for everyone who believes in Jesus to have eternal life. We may have heard the story a million times, but don’t let that drown out how incredible this event—Jesus’ resurrection—was, or what it means about His love.
As we enter the Easter season, I hope you’ll sing along to the Easter Hallelujah with these two sisters. Celebrate our risen Lord who did it all because of His love for you and for me.
