I KNOW that my Redeemer lives;
What joy the blest assurance gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everlasting Head!

He lives, to bless me with His love;
He lives, who bought me with His blood;
He lives, my hungry soul to feed;
He lives, my help in time of need.

He lives, and grants me daily strength;
Through Him I soon shall conquer death;
Then all His glories I'll declare,
That all the world His life may share.
Alternative 3rd verse
He lives, and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives, my mansion to prepare;
He lives, to bring me safely there.

Samuel Medley (1738‑1799) wrote those words over 200 years ago. Yet this hymn is still well‑known and well‑loved. Medley was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and after two brief spells as an apprentice and in the Royal Navy, he became a minister. He was first a minister in Watford, Hertfordshire and later in Liverpool. He wrote several hymns which were printed from 1782 onwards.

A common tune for these words is 'Fulda' set by William Gardiner with claims to have come from Beethoven.

Here are some scriptures which may have inspired the writer;

Job 19:25‑27 (RSV) For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold.

John 20:20 (RSV) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Luke 24:6‑7 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Philippians 4:19 My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2 Cor.13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Hebrews 7:24‑26 (RSV) He holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Col.1:18‑22 He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre‑eminence...And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him,...whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies,... yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.

1 Cor.15:51‑57 We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, ... at the last trump:...and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For...this mortal must put on immortality. So when...this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ..