Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

I will sing of my Redeemer

This hymn expresses the forensic doctrine of justification by faith, emphasizing Christ's substitutionary atonement and the believer's freedom from sin's bondage through His sacrifice. It reflects Lutheran emphasis on the finished work of Christ and personal assurance of salvation through faith.

History & Background

Written by Philip Paul Bliss in 1874, this gospel hymn was published in his collection and became widely adopted in evangelical and Lutheran hymnals. The text combines personal testimony with doctrinal affirmation of Christ's redemptive work.

Near the end of 1876, Philip P. Bliss and his wife Scripture References were traveling to Chicago to sing for the evangelistic services all st. = Ps. 89:1 led by Daniel W. Whittle at Dwight L. Moody’s Tabernacle. But Eph. 5:19-20 a train wreck and fire en route claimed their lives. Their trunk, Titus 2:13-14 which was spared, contained this hymn text by Bliss. In four stanzas with refrain, the text was set to a gospel tune by James McGranaham , who subsequently succeeded Bliss as song leader for Whittle. The text and McGranaham’s tune were published in Welcome Tidings, a New Collection for Sunday School, compiled by Robert S. Lowry , William H. Doane , and Ira D. Sankey in 1877. The text is a fine statement in hymn form of Christian teachings on the saving work of Christ, whose atoning death “sealed my pardon, paid the debt, and made me free.” The Psalter Hymnal Revision Committee reordered original text into three stanzas to fit the tune HYFRYDOL; the original refrain appears in stanzas 1 and 3.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Baptist Hymnal — 355
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 733
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 347
  • Lutheran Service Book — 839
  • Lutheran Worship — 378
  • Psalter Hymnal — 479
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 394
  • United Methodist Hymnal — 701

Liturgical Use

A glorious testimony hymn about salvation in Christ useful for many worship services; Lent.

Bulletin Note

Written by Philip Paul Bliss in 1874, this hymn embodies the evangelical fervor of nineteenth-century revivalism while articulating classical Lutheran confidence in Christ's substitutionary atonement and the assurance of salvation through faith alone.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the forensic heart of justification by faith: Christ's substitutionary death answers the law's demand, and His resurrection power liberates believers from sin's dominion—making it a perfect sung response to any proclamation of Law and Gospel.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Themes

Redemption through Christ Victory over sin and death Joy in salvation Personal faith testimony

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