As a young sailor in the Royal Navy, Samuel Medley led a selfish and sinful life. At the age of 21 he was badly wounded in a sea fight and a doctor told him that his leg would be amputated. He knew he didn’t deserve God’s mercy but he prayed earnestly. Before the operation, his leg healed surprisingly to the doctor. He returned home, where a godly grandfather read him a sermon by Isaac Watts. Medley fell to his knees and repented and was converted. He moved to London where he became a Baptist minister. He also wrote 200 hymns for his church, including this one. This hymn title comes from the book of Job who proclaimed in the midst of his pain “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”¹. I’m sure there were some followers of Jesus who held this same promise close in their hearts on the Saturday before his Resurrection.

I know that my Redeemer lives!
What joy this blest assurance gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
he lives, my ever-living Head!

He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives exalted, throned above;
He lives to rule his church in love.

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, 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!

He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Saviour, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!

¹page 87 – Leeman, D. and Leeman, B., 2022. Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs of the Church