[Biblemat] hymn study, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (S. Medley)

[Wayne S Walker]

Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study.

"I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES"
"I know that my Redeemer liveth..." (Job 19.25)

     INTRO.:  A hymn which emphasizes the fact that our Redeemer, Jesus
Christ, arose from the dead and is now alive is "I Know That My Redeemer
Lives."  The text was written by Samuel Medley (1738-1799).  Originally
in nine stanzas and beginning, "I know that my Redeemer lives, What
comfort this sweet passage gives," it was first published anonymously in
the 1775 Psalms and Hymns, 21st Ed., begun by George Whitefield
(1714-1770).  Later, it was published with Medley's name in a posthumous
1880 collection of his works entited Hymns: The Public Worship.  Other
hymns by Medley that have appeared in our books include "O Could I Speak
the Matchless Worth" and "Awake, My Soul, In Joyful Lays."  The tune
(Luton or Comfort) used in most of our books was composed by George
Burder, who was born on June 5, 1752, in London, England.  Trained as an
engraver, at the age of 24 he began following George Whitefield for
awhile, preaching among the Calvinistic Methodists.

     Sometime after this, Burder became minister with a Congregational
Church at Preston in Lancashire.  The services were often interrupted
because there was a theater in the same building.  Once a Romeo, in full
costume, burst in and demanded that the service stop.  Later he moved to
Coventry in Warwickshire, and founded the city's first Sunday School in
1785.  One of the first pupils was John Eagleton, who later became a
preacher and church music composer.  In 1784 Burder published a
Collection of Hymns from Various Authors, Intended as a Supplement to Dr.
Watts, and included some four of his own hymns.  Living the last thirty
years of his life in London, he labored as minister at Fetter Lane,
helped to found the Religious Tract Society and the British and Foreign
Bible Society, and served as secretary of the London Missionary Society. 


     In addition, Burder edited the Evangelical Magazine for a time and
published several books of sermons before his death at St. Pancreas at
London on May 28, 1832.  I have not been able to find any exact
information on the tune, its date, or the origin of publication.  One
source gives the date as 1774, whereas others have 1780.  Among hymnbooks
published by members of the Lord's church during the twentieth century
for use in churches of Christ, the song appeared in the 1922 edition of
the 1921 Great Songs of the Church (No. 1) and the 1937 Great Songs of
the Church No. 2 both edited by E. L. Jorgenson.  The text, with another
tune (from Thomas Williams's 1789 Psalmodia Evangelica usually associated
with George Weissel's "Lift Up Your Heads"), appeared in the 1963
Christian Hymnal edited by J. Nelson Slater, and today is found in the
1986 Great Songs Revised edited by Forrest M. McCann.

     The song expresses several benefits that we have today because Jesus
Christ is alive.

I. Stanza 1 says that He lives to be our Head
"I know that my Redeemer lives!  What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
(Great Songs Revised adopts a reading which first appeared in the 1849
Methodist Hymnal:
"What joy the blest assurance gives.")
He lives, He lives who once was dead; He lives, my everlasting Head."
 A. Jesus lives because He rose from the grave: 2 Tim. 2.8
 B. He once was dead because He died for our sins: 1 Cor. 15.3
 C. But having been raised from the dead, He ascended to the right hand
of God where He was given to be Head over all things to the church: Eph.
1.20-23

II. Stanza 2 says that He lives to plead for us
"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."
 A. Because He ever lives, He pleads for us by making intercession: Heb.
7.25
 B. In addition to interceding for us, He also feeds our hungry souls as
a shepherd feeds his flock: Isa. 40.11
 C. As a result of His interceding and feeding us, He is always there to
help in time of need: Heb. 4.14-16

III. Stanza 3 says that He lives to be our Prophet, Priest, and King
"He lives, my kind, wise heavenly 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."
 A. He is our Prophet because God has spoken to us through Him: Acts
3.22-23, Heb. 1.1-2
 B. He is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek: Heb. 3.1, 5.1-6
 C. He is our King because He sits on His throne in heaven to rule over
God's kingdom: Rev. 3.21

IV. Stanza 4 says that He lives prepare a mansion for us
"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."
 A. Because Jesus arose and lives, we have the hope of conquering death
when He comes again: 1 Cor. 15.20, 40-47
 B. Having arisen and ascended to the Father, He is preparing a mansion
or dwelling place for us in heaven: Jn. 14.1-3
 C. His purpose is to bring us safely there as our forerunner who has
already entered into the presence behind the veil: Heb. 6.19-20

V. Stanza 5 says that He lives the same forever
"He lives, all glory to His name!  He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
O the rich joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives."
 A. Because Jesus lives, we should give all glory to His name: Rev. 5.12
 B. As the eternal Son of God, He is the same yesterday, today, and
forever: Heb. 13.8
 C. Therefore, the knowledge that He lives should fill our hearts with
joy: Phil. 4.4

     CONCL.:  Three other stanzas of the song that are not in common use
are:
3. "He lives, triumphant from the grave; He lives eternally to save.
He lives all glorious in the sky; He lives exalted there on high."
4. "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."
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."
I know, based upon first hand observation, that unless the Lord comes
first, someday I shall die.  No one living today has any first hand
knowledge of what lies after death.  However, I can be filled with great
assurance that God has something wonderful planned for His people beyond
the grave because "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."
 
     Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
9024 Amona Dr.
Affton, MO  63123
home phone: (314) 638-4710
office phone: (314) 544-1612
e-mail: wswalker310 at juno.com
website: www.defenderoftruth.com
     Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website.  Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion.  It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com.  And
if you would like to receive a similar daily hymn study by e-mail, you
can join the Hymn of the Day list by sending a blank e-mail to
hymnoftheday-subscribe at yahoogroups.com or subscribing from the Web at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hymnoftheday/ .