Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.” (Job 19:25-26).

Easter was last week, and what a celebration as believers we had, celebrating the conquering of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over death. To celebrate Easter, my favorite hymn for the season is “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” by Charles Wesley, but my second favorite hymn for Resurrection Sunday is “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” by Samuel Medley.

This hymn is based on the words of Job, when he shared his assurance on his Redeemer to his friends. “For I know” is a powerful sentence in the words of Job and for Samuel Medley.

Samuel Medley was born June 23, 1738, in an English village. His father and grandfather were very devoted Christians, but Samuel was far away from a relationship with the Lord. He joined the British navy, but during war he was very wounded, and had to retire from the navy. At that time, somebody shared with him a sermon by Isaac Watts, the “Father of the Hymn in English” and this sermon lead Samuel to a real conversion. He became a faithful pastor, and a very prolific hymn writer.

“I know that my Redeemer lives;
what comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everlasting Head.”

On this lovely hymn, the second powerful phrase that Samuel uses is “He lives” just to describe what our Lord Jesus did for us, what our Savior is doing for us, and what our Redeemer will do for us. After the first stanza, Sameul Medley says over and over “He lives.”

“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, 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.”

The melody that we use is the famous melody called “DUKE STREET” a tune that we use to sing the hymn “Jesus Shall Reign” (a hymn by Isaac Watts, by the way).

Dear brothers and sisters, during this Easter season repeat to yourself and others that He lives, and he can save people from their sins.

“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!’”
​
In His service,
Israel