These are the words of P. P. Bliss (1838‑1876) a prolific American hymn writer who was associated with Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey. This hymn was discovered in his luggage after he died suddenly following an accident on a train en route to Chicago. Both he and his wife perished but this previously unknown hymn remains. His other well‑known hymns are "More holiness give me,” "Free from the curse O happy condition,” "The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,” "Man of sorrows” and "Sing them over again to me.”

The following is a list of scriptures likely to have inspired the writer:

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Gal.3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Psalm 146:2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Acts 20:28 (NKJV) Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

Revelation 5:9 They sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy...for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

1 John 1:7 If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Mark 10:45 The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Isa.35:10 The ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy.

1 Corinthians 15:57 Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Ephesians 2:4‑6 God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.