I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES
Samuel Medley, 1738-1799
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.
He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!"
THOUGHT
How does the reality of Jesus' Resurrection make a difference in His people's lives today?
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Hymn Story: A Wounded Prisoner Goes Free
Though born to devout parents in England, Samuel Medley wasn't so easily persuaded toward Christianity. He also wasn't so easily persuaded that the business path he was pursuing was really for him.
Instead, he entered the British Royal Navy where he was severely wounded and experienced the mercy of God first-hand.
After a surgeon told Samuel he would need to amputate his leg the next morning, Samuel spent the night praying earnestly for God to intervene.
Morning came and the surgeon was astonished to see a much improved situation and enthusiastically referred to Samuel's recovery as a miracle.
Yet, Samuel still wasn't convinced of His need for a Savior until his grandfather read a sermon to him by the well-known hymn writer and preacher Isaac Watts.
The text was Isaiah 42:6-7:
"I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness."
At last, Samuel recognized his spiritually imprisoned state, confessed his sin to God, believed in the saving work of Christ and entered into a loving relationship with the Lord.
He was no longer imprisoned but free to pursue God's plan for his life.
He began attending church, started and ran a successful school and later pastored the Baptist Church at Watford.
Known for his love of Christ, his wit and his way with words, Medley wrote many hymns and printed and distributed them to the public on what were known as "broad sheets."
His hymns include "O Could I Speak the Matchless Worth" and "Arise, My Soul in Joyful Lays."
Samuel Medley's final words on earth were "Glory! Glory! Home!"
