This hymn was composed in 1873. Phoebe Knapp was a close friend of Fanny Crosby. Phoebe lived in a luxurious mansion, whilst Fanny lived in the Manhattan slums and worked in rescue missions. Fanny was a frequent visitor to Phoebe.
One day in 1873, Phoebe played a tune on the piano whilst Fanny listened. In Fanny’s own words, “My friend, Mrs. Joseph F. Knapp, composed a melody and played it over to me two or three times on the piano. She then asked what it said. I replied, ‘Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!'”.
Notice the many references to sight in this hymn, even though Fanny was blind. Fanny may have been physically blind, but she had spiritual eyes that were constantly fixed on the Saviour. Amen!
Lyrics: Fanny J. Crosby
Music: Phoebe P. Knapp
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, 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.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
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.
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