Charles Wesley - I Know That My Redeemer Lives (928) Lyrics

Meaning & Inspiration

The hymn "I Know That My Redeemer Lives," a profound declaration of faith by Charles Wesley, experienced a contemporary release on August 13, 2022, reminding a new generation of its enduring spiritual power. While this date marks a modern recording or presentation, the hymn itself dates back to the 18th century, a product of Wesley’s deep theological reflection and poetic genius. At its core, this powerful composition is an eloquent affirmation of the Christian hope in resurrection and the ultimate triumph of Christ, drawing heavily from the ancient testament declaration in Job 19:25-27, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God." It’s a song not just of belief, but of unwavering, personal conviction in eternal life through Christ.

The opening stanza anchors the entire hymn with an emphatic certainty: "I KNOW that my Redeemer lives, He lives, and on the earth shall stand." This line immediately establishes a profound personal connection to Christ as the living Redeemer, not a distant historical figure, but an active, present, and future sovereign. The acknowledgement that "though to worms my flesh he gives, My dust lies numbered in his hand" faces the reality of human mortality with absolute serenity. It paints a picture of God's meticulous care, assuring us that even in death, our physical remains are not lost or forgotten, but precisely accounted for by the very Creator who knit us together (Psalm 139:13-16). This confidence transforms the dread of decay into an anticipation of divine preservation, aligning with the scriptural truth that God remembers our frame, knowing that we are dust (Psalm 103:14).

Moving into the second verse, the hymn elevates this hope to a glorious certainty of bodily resurrection. "In this re-animated clay I surely shall behold him near" speaks directly to the promise of physical transformation, echoing passages like Philippians 3:21, which speaks of Christ transforming our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. It’s a promise that our very bodies, though subject to death, will be renewed and made fit for an eternal encounter. The vision extends to the "latter day," when we "shall see him in all his majesty appear," directly referencing the Second Coming of Christ as described in Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 1:7, where every eye will witness His return in power and glory. This isn't a vague spiritual aspiration, but a concrete expectation of seeing the resurrected Lord.

The third stanza delves into the source of this incredible hope: the indwelling Holy Spirit. "I feel what then shall raise me up, The eternal Spirit lives in me" powerfully articulates the Spirit's role as the divine guarantee of resurrection. Romans 8:11 confirms this, stating that if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, He who raised Christ will also give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit. This conviction blossoms into the ultimate confidence: "This is my confidence of hope, That God I face to face shall see." This isn't merely seeing God from afar, but a deeply personal, unveiled encounter, a promise found in 1 John 3:2 ("we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is") and 1 Corinthians 13:12 ("then we will see face to face"). It speaks to the restoration of intimacy lost in Eden, a direct communion with the divine.

Finally, the fourth stanza culminates in a declaration of personal triumph and reward. "Mine own and not another's eyes The King shall in his beauty view" emphasizes the intensely individual nature of this promised encounter. Each person will experience this glorious vision firsthand, a profound and unique meeting with the sovereign King. The hymn then speaks of receiving "the prize, The starry crown to victors due." This imagery is richly biblical, referencing the crown of righteousness promised to those who have longed for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8) and the crown of life for those who persevere under trial (James 1:12). It symbolizes not only reward but also eternal honor and fellowship with Christ, a testament to faithful endurance and victorious living. This hymn, therefore, stands as a magnificent testament to the core tenets of Christian faith: the living Redeemer, bodily resurrection, the indwelling Spirit, the Second Coming, and the promise of eternal reward, all wrapped in a profound sense of personal assurance and hope. Its enduring message continues to inspire and fortify the beliefs of all who proclaim its timeless truth.