I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this, &c. S. Medley. [Easter.] This hymn is found in the 21st edition of G. Whitefield's Psalms & Hymns1775, in 9 stanzas of 4 lines, and in the 4th edition of De Courcy's Collection, 1793, No. 258; but in each case without signature. Medley included it in the London edition of his Hymns, 1800. It was also repeated in the Cambridge ed., 1839. In an abbreviated form it is in somewhat extensive use, and is easily known by the frequent repetition of the words "He lives!" The cento, "The Saviour lives, no more to die," is also popular; but that in the American Baptist Praise Book, 1871, "He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend," is limited in use. Both forms of the text arc in common use in Great Britain and America.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Medley, Samuel, born June 23, 1738, at Cheshunt, Herts, where his father kept a school. He received a good education; but not liking the business to which he was apprenticed, he entered the Royal Navy. Having been severely wounded in a battle with the French fleet off Port Lagos, in 1759, he was obliged to retire from active service. A sermon by Dr. Watts, read to him about this time, led to his conversion. He joined the Baptist Church in Eagle Street, London, then under the care of Dr. Gifford, and shortly afterwards opened a school, which for several years he conducted with great success. Having begun to preach, he received, in 1767, a call to become pastor of the Baptist church at Watford. Thence, in 1772, he removed to Byrom Street, Liv… Go to person page >
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