Blessed Assurance

"Blessed Assurance" is a well-known Christian hymn. The lyrics were written in 1873 by blind hymn writer Fanny J. Crosby to the music written in 1873 by Phoebe P. Knapp.

History

Crosby was visiting her friend Phoebe Knapp as the Knapp home was having a large pipe organ installed. The organ was incomplete so, using the piano, Mrs. Knapp played a new melody she had just composed called "Assurance". "What do you think the tune says?" asked Knapp.

"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine", answered Fanny Crosby.

The hymn appeared in the July 1873 issue of Palmer's GUIDE TO HOLINESS AND REVIVAL MISCELLANY, a magazine printed by Dr. and Mrs.W.C. Palmer of 14 Bible House, New York City. It appeared on page 36 (the last page) with compete text and piano score, and indicated it had been copyrighted by Crosby that year. It is not certain that this was the first printing of the hymn, but it certainly helped to popularize what was to become one of the most beloved hymns of all time.

Lyrics

"Based on Hebrews 10:22"

vs.1
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:
"This is my story, this is my song,
"praising my Savior all the day long;
""this is my story, this is my song,
""praising my Savior all the day long.
"

vs.2
Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

(Refrain)

vs.3
Perfect submission, all is at rest!
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with his goodness, lost in His love.
(Refrain)

External links

* [http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/l/e/blesseda.htm Blessed Assurance music and lyrics]