I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Songbook Hymn Sermons

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Hymn written by Jessie Brown Pounds

**Stanza 1: “I know that my Redeemer lives and ever prays for me;

A token of His love He gives, a pledge of liberty.”**

These opening words resound with certainty, drawn directly from Job 19:25—“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.” This is not the voice of speculation, but of deep conviction. Christ our Redeemer is not a distant memory but a present reality. He is alive and interceding for us at the right hand of God (Hebrews 7:25). His continual prayers and blessings are “tokens” of His abiding love. Each day, we enjoy liberty from sin because He lives and acts on our behalf (Romans 8:34).

**Chorus: “I know, I know that my Redeemer lives,

I know, I know eternal life He gives;
I know, I know that my Redeemer lives.”**

The repeated phrase, “I know,” gives this chorus its power. It echoes Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 1:12—“I know whom I have believed.” This isn’t just belief—it is a grounded, unwavering knowledge that Christ is alive, that He has conquered death, and that He holds eternal life in His hands. This chorus becomes a personal anthem of assurance for every Christian. We don’t serve a buried teacher—we follow a living King who promises us life everlasting (John 11:25–26).

**Stanza 2: “He wills that I should holy be in word, in thought, in deed;

Then I His holy face may see, when from this earth-life freed.”**

Because Christ lives, He calls us to live holy lives. Holiness is not optional—it is His will for us (1 Peter 1:15–16). Our Redeemer expects purity not only in our actions but in our speech and even in our thoughts. He sanctifies us to prepare us for eternity. Only the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8), and only those who walk in the light will behold His holy face (1 John 1:7). This stanza reminds us that the resurrection is not just about the afterlife—it’s about transformed living now.

**Stanza 3: “I know that He will come again to take me home on high;

Yes, I shall see my Savior then and meet Him in the sky.”**

This stanza lifts our eyes to the second coming of Christ. Acts 1:11 tells us He will return in like manner as He ascended. The promise of His return is not just doctrine—it’s a source of hope. For the faithful, this is not a day of fear but a day of joy, for we shall see Him “as He is” (1 John 3:2). The dead in Christ shall rise first, and we who are alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). What a glorious reunion it will be!

**Stanza 4: “I know that unto sinful men His saving grace is nigh;

I know that He will come again to take me home on high.”**

Christ’s saving grace is always near. Titus 2:11 reminds us that “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” The offer of salvation through Christ is not distant or closed off—it is extended to every sinner who will come in faith and obedience (Romans 5:8; Acts 2:38). The stanza ends by repeating the earlier promise: He is coming again to bring the faithful home. This is not wishful thinking—it is a certainty.

Sermon Outline:

• Introduction:
  • Theme of Job 19:25—certainty in a living Redeemer
  • Hymn is a declaration of faith, hope, and assurance
• I. Stanza 1 – Christ Lives and Intercedes
  • Job 19:25; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34
  • His prayers and love are continual blessings
• II. Chorus – Confidence in Eternal Life
  • 2 Timothy 1:12; John 11:25–26
  • “I know” becomes our song of certainty
• III. Stanza 2 – A Call to Holiness
  • 1 Peter 1:15–16; Matthew 5:8; 1 John 1:7
  • Holiness prepares us to see His face
• IV. Stanza 3 – The Hope of His Return
  • Acts 1:11; 1 John 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
  • Christ will come again to receive His people
• V. Stanza 4 – Grace Is Near, Salvation Is Certain
  • Titus 2:11; Romans 5:8; Acts 2:38
  • Salvation is available to all who come to Christ
• Conclusion:
  • Our Redeemer lives—this is not a feeling, it is a fact.
  • Let us live with confidence, holiness, and joyful expectation.

Call to Action:

Can you say with confidence, “I know that my Redeemer lives”? If you’re outside of Christ, the time is now to believe, repent, and be baptized into the One who conquered death (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16). If you are in Christ, then live like it! Walk in holiness, trust His grace, and prepare for His return. Your Redeemer is alive—He loves you, intercedes for you, and is coming again for you. Rejoice and respond before it's too late.

Scripture Reference List:

• Job 19:25 – The foundational cry of faith: “I know my Redeemer lives.”
• Hebrews 7:25 – Christ lives to make intercession for us.
• Romans 8:34 – Christ is at the right hand of God, interceding.
• 2 Timothy 1:12 – “I know whom I have believed…”
• John 11:25–26 – “I am the resurrection and the life.”
• 1 Peter 1:15–16 – Be holy in all manner of life.
• Matthew 5:8 – The pure in heart shall see God.
• 1 John 1:7 – Walk in the light as He is in the light.
• Acts 1:11 – Jesus will return as He ascended.
• 1 John 3:2 – We shall see Him as He is.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 – The second coming and reunion in the clouds.
• Titus 2:11 – The grace of God has appeared to all men.
• Romans 5:8 – Christ died for us while we were sinners.
• Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.

Song History:

Jessie Brown Pounds (1861–1921) wrote this uplifting hymn as a powerful expression of trust in the risen Christ. Though she was associated with the Stone-Campbell movement and wrote prolifically for religious publications, her hymn “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” became widely embraced among churches of Christ for its strong biblical grounding and hopeful message. The hymn draws directly from Job 19:25 and incorporates key New Testament themes of resurrection, holiness, and eternal life. It has become a staple in congregational worship—especially during times of grief, renewal, and reflection on Christ’s victory.

Hymn Lyrics:

I Know That My Redeemer Lives
By Jessie Brown Pounds

1. I know that my Redeemer lives and ever prays for me;
   A token of His love He gives, a pledge of liberty.

Chorus:
I know, I know that my Redeemer lives,
I know, I know eternal life He gives;
I know, I know that my Redeemer lives.

2. He wills that I should holy be in word, in thought, in deed;
   Then I His holy face may see, when from this earth-life freed.
3. I know that He will come again to take me home on high;
   Yes, I shall see my Savior then and meet Him in the sky.
4. I know that unto sinful men His saving grace is nigh;
   I know that He will come again to take me home on high.

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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