I Know That My Redeemer Lives

'"I Know That My Redeemer Lives" is an English Christian Easter hymn in long metre by Samuel Medley. It was published in 1775 and is written for Easter Sunday.
== Hymns of the Gospel ==
This hymn was included in the first hymnbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, compiled in 1835 by Emma Hale Smith.
=== Composers ===
Lewis D. Edwards (1856-1821) is the composer of the well-beloved hymn “I Know that My Redeemer Lives”, which was included in the 1985 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lewis D Edwards on MormonWiki
He was born in Aberdare, Wales, on April 1, 1856. He immigrated to Pennsylvania where he sang in choirs until he went West and was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1878. In Utah, he became a music student of Evan Stephens and conducted singing classes, taught music in public schools, founded and conducted choirs and glee clubs, and won prizes for his songs.
=== Lyricist ===
Samuel Medley (1738–1799) was an English Baptist minister and hymn-writer. He joined Gifford's Particular Baptist church in Eagle Street, Holborn, in December 1760, and Gifford then led him to enter the Baptist ministry. He began preaching on 29 August 1766, and on 6 June 1767 he accepted a call to a congregation at Watford, Hertfordshire, which had been without a minister since 1763. Here he was ordained on 13 July 1768. On 11 November 1771 he was invited to the Baptist church in Byrom Street, Liverpool, and began his ministry there on 15 April 1772. Dictionary of National Biography
=== Scripture ===
Though the hymn is originally based on the Old Testament verse from the Book of Job, where Job proclaims "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (), it is mostly used as a hymn for Easter Sunday commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus. Medley was also inspired by Thomas the Apostle coming to believe after having seen Jesus after the Resurrection.
And so now, in the spirit of love and brotherhood, we invite all men everywhere to give heed to the words of eternal life revealed in this day. We invite our Father’s other children to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him,” and to deny themselves of “all ungodliness.” I Know That my Redeemer Liveth by Joseph Fielding Smith
Because our Savior died at Calvary, death has no hold upon any one of us. And dead we would remain but for one Man and His mission, even Jesus of Nazareth. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, His birth fulfilled the inspired pronouncements of many prophets. He was taught from on high. He provided the life, the light, and the way. Multitudes followed Him. Children adored Him. The haughty rejected Him. He spoke in parables. He taught by example. He lived a perfect life. I Know That My Redeemer Lives by Thomas S. Monson
== Hymn history ==
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 Redeeemer 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.
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.
== Tune ==
The hymn is most commonly set to the tune "Duke Street", composed by John Hatton, about whom little is known except his place of residence, on Duke Street in St. Helen's. The following setting appears in the modern hymnal "Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New".
<score %vorbis="1"%%T257066%>
== Lyrics ==
1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
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 bless in time of need.
.
2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
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.
.
3. 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.
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.
.
4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
== Recordings ==
* I Know That My Redeemer Lives - The Choir at Tabernacle Square (YouTube)
* I Know That My Redeemer Lives - Nadia Khristean, a talented young songwriter and performer who creates “music for causes,” sings an impassioned rendition of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” a religious hymn, to a video of traditional and modern artwork depicting key scenes from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. (YouTube)
* I Know That My Redeemer Lives - 7-Year-Old Claire Crosby (YouTube)
* I Know That My Redeemer Lives - Lutheran Hymn - Lutheran lyrics and melody.
* I Know That My Redeemer Lives - Smith Bosworth. (YouTube)
* I Know That My Redeemer Lives - Ashley Hess (YouTube)
==References==
== External links ==
*"I Know That My Redeemer Lives" - lyrics and sheet music
Category:Easter hymns
Category:1775 in England
Category:English Christian hymns
Category:Resurrection of Jesus
Category:Songs about Jesus