The text presents the heart of the Christian confession of faith: Christ who died for our sin has risen again! We respond to this confession, "Glory be to Jesus." This acclamation is similar to the traditional liturgical response to the reading of the gospel text. To continue the confession, Bert Polman (PHH 37) wrote an additional stanza in 1987:
Oh, how good is Christ the Lord! He has sent his Spirit here
to lead us along the way. Glory be to Jesus!
Glory be to Jesus! Glory be to Jesus!
For his kingdom has no end. Glory be to Jesus!
Psalter Hymnal Handbook
Easter hymns accomplish three functions: they recount the Easter narrative, proclaim our Easter hope, and celebrate our joy at Christ’s resurrection. This hymn is built on the professions of Easter truths that are expressed primarily in Heidelberg Catechism. Note especially the following:
In addition, Our Song of Hope, stanza 5 professes: “On the day of the resurrection, the tomb was empty; His disciples saw Him; death was defeated; new life had come. God’s purpose for the world was sealed.”