“To hear this loved song rendered by an assembly of devoted Latter-day Saints is a spiritual baptism” (Stories of Our Mormon Hymns, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1968, p. 108).
~ J. Spencer Cornwall
Hymns are said to be a prayer offered to the Lord:
“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (Doctrine & Covenants 25:12).
Certainly this is true. As we read through the words of hymns, no matter what religion or denomination we may claim as our own, they reflect the prayers of our hearts. As we sing with reverence such sacred themes, surely they are counted as among the most hallowed of supplications.
Hymns can serve another purpose. They can help us bear testimony when at times our own words do not seem sufficient.
The above quote was rendered by a man after hearing the song “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” Far more than a prayer, this song has acted as a fervent testimony of many who love and revere the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This beloved hymn gives reference to two scriptures from the Bible. The first can be found in Job. The words are simple, powerful, and straightforward:
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25).
Job didn’t just believe, he knew his Redeemer was real. In those first seven words he bears testimony of what the Holy Spirit had witnessed to him.
The second scripture can be found in Psalm 104:33-34.
“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.”
From these two scriptures we begin to glean what it means to share a testimony through song. Anyone can have a testimony of the Redeemer, if they ask of God with real intent, maintaining a humble heart and a contrite spirit. When this testimony is gained, it can be a powerful tool in helping to bring others back to a remembrance of who they are, that they are infinitely loved, and that through the Atonement there is hope for repentance.
When a testimony is gained, we cannot help but declare the intense and beautiful feelings felt deep within our hearts. If our own words don’t seem to be enough, we can always turn to our sacred hymns to say what we cannot.
“He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”
(Hymns, no. 95)
