Hymn of the Week: My Redeemer

Text Philip P. Bliss 1838-1876
Music James McGranahan 1840-1907

My Redeemer

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,
With His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,
With His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant pow’r I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,
With His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer,
With His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

This poignant gospel hymn, while not one we sing often, is a beloved Gospel hymn with a moving story behind its creation. Philip Bliss, the author, was on his way from Pennsylvania to Chicago, with his young wife, leaving their four and one-year-old sons behind in Pennsylvania. Bliss, like many hymn writers during this time, were not only poets and composers but missionaries who, led by Dwight Moody, traveled the country sharing the gospel and their songs. On a trip to Chicago at Christmas 1876, the young couple was traveling on the Pacific Express Train. On reaching Ashtabula, Ohio, the train plunged into a ravine, sixty feet below. The train caught fire and over 96 of 156 passengers died in the crash. Philip Bliss was able to climb out of a window but, on learning that his wife was still in the train, went back into the flames to pull her from the wreckage. They both died in the fire. It is said that Bliss, upon learning his wife was still inside the train stated: “If I cannot save her, I will perish with her.”

This hymn text was found in a trunk that was among Bliss’ belongings that miraculously survived the train crash. The tune was composed by James McGranahan, shortly after Bliss’ death. I Will Sing of My Redeemer was one of the first songs recorded by Thomas Edison on his new recording device.

Other well-known hymns by Philip Bliss include: It Is Well with My Soul, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, I Give My Life for Thee, and Hold the Fort.

Enjoy this youtube clip I found. Simple, straightforward, and conveys the text and meaning beautifully.

Hymn of the Week: May 10, 2021