#SundaySounds: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

This hymn was originally based on a scripture found in Job 19:25, where Job proclaims “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!”.  The hymn is often used on Easter Sunday commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus. It was also inspired by Thomas the Apostle coming to believe after having seen Jesus after the Resurrection.

Samuel Medley had been a sailor in the Royal Navy who had been injured with his leg almost needing amputation. He wrote "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" in 1775 whilst he was a minister at a Baptist church in Liverpool. It was first published in George Whitefield's Psalms and Hymns hymnal in the same year with seven verses though without attribution. He later self-published it in 1800 in the London edition of his Hymns hymnal. It was usually set to the "Duke Street" hymn tune, composed by John Hatton.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the hymn was in common use in both Great Britain and America, easily known by the oft-repeated "He lives!". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also started to use the hymn after it was published in Emma Smith's Collection of Sacred Hymns. The Latter-day Saints version involved the merging of several verses into one.

“I Know That My Redeemer Lives”

Words By: Samuel Medley, 1775

Music By: John Hatton, 1793

   

1 I know that my Redeemer lives;

what comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead;

He lives, my everliving Head.

2 He lives triumphant from the grave,

He lives eternally to save,

He lives all-glorious in the sky,

He lives exalted there on high.

3 He lives to bless me with His love,

He lives to plead for me above,

He lives my hungry soul to feed,

He lives to help in time of need.

4 He lives to grant me rich supply,

He lives to guide me with His eye,

He lives to comfort me when faint,

He live to hear my soul's complaint.

5 He lives to silence all my fears,

He lives to wipe away my tears,

He lives to calm my troubled heart,

He lives all blessings to impart.

6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav'nly friend,

He lives and loves me to the end;

He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing;

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

7 He lives and grants me daily breath;

He lives and I shall conquer death;

He lives my mansion to prepare;

He lives to bring me safely there.

8 He lives, all glory to His name!

He lives, my Jesus, still the same.

Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

I am always open to suggestions for songs to be used, as well as other suggestions you might have for the blog. If you would rather not share that info in the comments, you may email your suggestions.