I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Author Samuel Medley was born in 1738 in Chestnut, England. A Grandfather gave him his earliest education, and when he was fourteen, he was apprenticed to an oil-man in the city of London. Three years of that was enough for young Medley. In 1755, he escaped from his agreement by enlisting in the Royal Navy.

Late in 1759, he was discharged from the Navy, after being severely wounded in battle. It was while he was recovering from his injuries that he read a sermon by Isaac Watts, a pastor and hymn writer, that led to his conversion to Christ.

For a few years, he operated a school. He was then urged to enter the ministry, and by 1772, Medley was preaching in Liverpool. He took a real interest in the souls of seamen and adapted his preaching to them.

Written in 1775, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” is based on Job 19:25, but is clearly Medley’s testimony of faith in the risen Christ.