SING OF MY REDEEMER, Hymn Devotion for Tuesday, 5 August 2025, the Anglican Orthodox Communion, Bishop Jerry Ogles
Psalms 100:1-2
1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
This hymn is written by the great hymn writer and composer, Philip Bliss (1838-1876). Many of our favorite American hymns were authored by Bliss, or the musical score rendered by him. He often participated in revival and musical services with Dwight L. Moody. Near the end of 1876, Philip P. Bliss (PHH 482) and his wife were traveling to Chicago to sing for the evangelistic services led by Daniel W. Whittle at Dwight L. Moody's Tabernacle. But a train wreck and fire en route claimed their lives. Their trunk, which was spared, contained this hymn text by Bliss – the last in an abundant repertoire of hymns by Bliss.
SING OF MY REDEEMER
1 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, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
2 I will tell the wondrous story,
how my lost estate to save,
in his boundless love and mercy,
he the ransom freely gave.
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
his triumphant power I'll tell:
how the victory he gives me
over sin and death and hell.
3 I will sing of my Redeemer
and his heavenly love for me;
he from death to life has brought me,
Son of God, with him to be.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
1 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, O sing of my Redeemer! With his blood he purchased me; on the cross he sealed my pardon, paid the debt, and made me free. What curse? The curse of the Law of God written on Tables of Stone. The last word of the Law and Prophets (Old Testament) is the word curse since the law is a curse to us. (see Malachi 4:6 & Galatians 3:10). The New Testament is the Book of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and ends with His grace offered (see Revelations 22:21) Joy should always evoke the urge to sing praises. Our overwhelming debt burden has been satisfied in the Redemption of our Lord in His atoning sacrifice.
2 I will tell the wondrous story, how my lost estate to save, in his boundless love and mercy, he the ransom freely gave. I will praise my dear Redeemer, his triumphant power I'll tell: how the victory he gives me over sin and death and hell. In restoring sight to the blind, healing the leper of his malady, or raising the daughter of Jairus, Jesus counseled, “Tell no man.” Well, as it turned out, the joy of His miraculous healing was so great that the beneficiaries could not help but proclaim the miracles widely. Such joy cannot be concealed in silence. We all of faith have been recipients of that great healing of the sin-disease of every child born of woman since Eve. Can we, or should we, keep silent on that freedom proclaimed in Christ! We are so richly blessed that we must share the Good News to every ear which can receive it.
3 I will sing of my Redeemer and his heavenly love for me; he from death to life has brought me, Son of God, with him to be. Sing, O sing of my Redeemer! With his blood he purchased me; on the cross he sealed my pardon, paid the debt, and made me free. The love of Christ for us did, indeed, originate in Heaven. He chose us from before the foundation of the world. Had He not loved us first, we could never have loved Him in return just like a newborn baby does not even know his loving mother, but in time, he will echo that love back to his dear mother. While we were yet dead and helpless to lift a finger in our d=salvation, He called us from our spiritual grave and made us alive in Himself. Indeed, on the cross, His Mind was fixed on His elect – not en masse, but individually. “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven (cut) thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”Isaiah 49:15-16 Your name was ‘cut’ into the palms of our Lord by the Roman nails of Golgotha. We are purchased with a price of immeasurable enormity.
