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Samuel Medley (1738-1799) was a Baptist pastor and author of 230 hymns.
In his wayward youth, he was seriously wounded in the British navy at the Battle of Lagos. The surgeon told him that amputation was the only thing that would save his life and that a decision would have to be made the next day. Though Medley was living a wicked life, he prayed earnestly for God’s mercy. “The next morning when the surgeon came to examine his sounds, he lifted up his hands in amazement and said, ‘This is little short of a miracle.’ He found the patient so much better that he could scarcely believe his eyes. God had heard Medley’s prayer” (Christopher Knapp, Who Wrote Our Hymns).
Medley was released from the navy and was converted soon thereafter, in 1759, by hearing a sermon by Isaac Watt on Isaiah 42:6-7. It was read to him by his grandfather William Tonge, a godly man who was praying for Medley’s conversion.
In 1760, Medley joined the Particular Baptist Church in Eagle Street, London, pastored by Andrew Gifford. In 1772, he took the pastorate of the Baptist church on Byrom Street, in Liverpool. His 27 years of ministry there was so successful that the building was enlarged in 1773 and a new building was erected in 1789. Medley preached to the seamen at the Liverpool port.
He died in July 1799 after a painful sickness. On his deathbed, he testified, “I am now a shattered bark, just about to gain the blissful harbour, and oh how sweet will be the port after the storm. ... Dying is sweet work, sweet work! My heavenly Father! I am looking up to my dear Jesus, My God, my portion, my all in all!” (Adrian Roach, Little Flock Hymn-book).
Many of Medley’s hymns were popular in his time and for years afterwards. Some of his hymns have appeared in over 200 hymnals. His most popular ones include “I Know That My Redeemer Lives, What Comfort This Sweet Sentence Gives,” “The Saviour Lives, No More to Die,” “On Christ Salvation Rests Secure,” “Now in a Song of Grateful Praise,” “Awake, Each Saint, in Joyful Lays,” “Come Let Us Sing the Matchless Worth,” “Saviour, Before Thy Face We fall,” and “Of Jesus the Saviour We Sing.”
Some of Medley’s hymns were put to new music in the 1800s by song writers such as William Caldwell (“Loving-Kindness,” 1831) and Lowell Mason (“How Good It Is to Sing Praises to Our God,” 1836).
“I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” 1775
Samuel Medley
1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
what comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everlasting Head.
2 He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.
3 He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.
4 He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He live to hear my soul's complaint.
5 He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.
6 He lives, my kind, wise, heav'nly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
7 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.
8 He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
Music Score
Midi
“Loving-Kindness,” 1782
Samuel Medley
Tune: William Caldwell, 1831
1 Awake, my soul, to joyful lays,
And sing thy great Redeemer’s praise;
He justly claims a song for me,
His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
2 He saw me ruined in the fall,
Yet loved me notwithstanding all;
He saved me from my lost estate,
His loving-kindness, oh, how great!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how great!
3 Though num’rous hosts of mighty foes,
Though earth and hell my way oppose,
He safely leads my soul along,
His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!
4 When trouble like a gloomy cloud,
Has gathered thick and thundered loud,
He near my soul has always stood,
His loving-kindness, oh, how good!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how good!
5 Soon I shall pass the gloomy vale,
Soon all my mortal pow’rs must fail;
Oh, may my last expiring breath
His loving-kindness sing in death.
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness sing in death.
6 Then let me mount and soar away
To the bright world of endless day;
And sing with raptures and surprise,
His loving-kindness in the skies.
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness in the skies.
Music score and midi
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