I Know That My Redeemer Lives

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.

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 bless 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 lives 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 Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Text: Samuel Medley, 1738–1799. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835.
Music: Lewis D. Edwards, 1858–1921

When my grandfather died in January of 1997, we were unable to bury him after the service. We buried him in April of that same year, and as I attended the graveside service, I was distraught. Until this Hymn, this beautiful song, rang forth in my ears, and I knew that it was the comfort I required. My grandfather lives, waiting to be reunited with his flesh in its perfected state. As do all of our loved ones, and will all of our loved ones, until the Savior returns again. And I know that the Savior lives, in his perfected body, resurrected and watching over us, in anticipation of His great and glorious return when Satan will be bound and have no more influence over the children of men for a thousand years. Our test and our trial will be complete, but we will not be at rest. We will be busy performing the great and glorious work of the Lord, but we will not weary in well doing, and suffer from fatigue and illness as we do now.

I love the Lord, and my testimony of this pulls me through each and every day that I endure. I only pray I can endure them more gracefully, with more love, and more strength, a better servant in the hands of the Lord.