I Know That My Redeemer Lives! (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 619)
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!
2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
he lives eternally to save;
he lives exalted, throned above;
he lives to rule his church in love.
3 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.
4 He lives to silence all my fears;
he lives to wipe away my tears;
he lives to calm my troubled heart;
he lives all blessing to impart.
5 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.
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 Savior, still the same;
what joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
Text: Samuel Medley; Music: attr. John Hatton; Public Domain
Devotion
Easter sets the tone for our church year. Each Sunday is a celebration of Easter as we remember what God has accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This hymn of praise takes us through all the gifts of the season. We hear the promise of Jesus’ resurrection, of his enduring presence, promised communication and steadfast hope in the words of this hymn. It is also a preaching hymn as its words trumpet the promises to all that hear them. Do these words speak as clearly today as they did when written so long ago? To me they do but to new generations of Christians, I’m not so sure. Styles of music, methods of communication and people’s patience change. How do we bring out the message to new generations of Christians? This wonderful hymn still speaks to my old heart. I pray for the gifts of future hymn writers and musicians as we continue to proclaim the gospel to a world longing to hear it.
Prayer
Gracious and loving God may our hearts be fertile ground for the message of the gospel. May we through the gifts we have received from you bring the proclamation of the Gospel to a world longing to hear it. Amen.