Music ministers to me in so many different ways. Especially the timeless hymns of the faith. Some comfort my heart when I'm filled with sorrow. Some convict me. Some tell a story or teach theology. And some fill my heart with joy and put a smile on my face.
This is one of those songs. Blessed Assurance has been one of my favorites since I was a child. One of over 8,000 hymns penned by Fanny Crosby, the story behind its writing is simple:
Fanny's friend Mrs. Joseph (Phoebe) Knapp composed a melody without the thought of any words. As she played it for Fanny Crosby, she asked, "What does this music say to you?" Without hesitation, Fanny responded, "It says to me, 'Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!'" These thoughts became the first two lines of the hymn we love so much.
Source: How Sweet The Sound by George Beverly Shea, 2004, Tyndale
I love Avalon's rendition here. They start out with a verse of Holy, Holy, Holy, and then move into Blessed Assurance. I bet you can't watch this without smiling and swinging some arms and legs!! (And why would you even want to?!)
BLESSED ASSURANCE
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.
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.
Words:Fanny J. Crosby, 1873
Music: Phoebe P. Knapp, 1873
Don't forget to go by Amy's for more songs for your Saturday!
Praising my Savior all the day long,
I'll bet Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Knapp never imagined that their song would be sung like that! I love it when contemporary groups take hymns and sing them well, and this is one of those groups! There seems to be alot of Avalon this week on Sing My Soul Saturdays.....
ReplyDeleteXandra
YAY - more Avalon. I chose on from them too. I love this song - my Grandma used to hum or sing it while she worked around he house. So, it is one of my faves. And, may I just say, they ROCKED it!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't hear any Avalon song without swinging some arms and legs! It ain't pretty, but it is worship. :-) This is a great rendition... you're right.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard this Rocking Blessed Assurance and I really like it. I just love Avalon. They are one great talented group!
ReplyDeleteHave a Fabulous weekend!!
This is one of my favorites from Avalon's hymn CD. I LOVE it and I too love to hear the great hymns of our faith.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Linda,
ReplyDeleteGreat pick. I love this song. They do such a wonderful job. Thanks for the "smile."
Blessings
Cheryl
What a great pick for your TSMSS, I absolutely love this song! Thanks for visiting my TSMSS post, isn't it great all the different worship songs we can hear on Saturday, how it ushers us into the attitude of worship for sunday services. I love TSMSS! - Blessings, Laurie
ReplyDeleteLove that song and I never heard this version before. So glad I took the time to listen to it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda for Blessed Assurance with Avalon. You are so right that music ministers and so do you with your words. So what does this good hymn do...all of the above? I guess that's a mixed bag of emtions for me...safety, praise, tears of joy and sadness!
ReplyDeleteI love that you give us the background! Makes this a unique learning stop! Thank you for your commet on John Michael Talbot...my favorite is Eagle's Wings!!!Though
it's been so long since I've listened or found music of his!
God bless your weekend!
This is one of my favorites. Love this rockin' rendition! THanks for the history lesson.
ReplyDeleteKelli
Fantastic choice, Linda! This has been one of my favorites since early childhood. As much as I love hymns, this is one meme I need to get involved in! I usually don't blog on Saturdays, but I would come out of the woodwork for this one. :)
ReplyDeleteAMEN!! I imagine that Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Knapp might just smile and tap their foot too! :-)
ReplyDeleteHow could you not!!
WOW...great song and thanks for the story behind it...you are too awesome Linda! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnother great song I haven't heard in awhile. Boy I am getting a whole lot of new songs and some old favorites added to my youtube. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh, this version totally rocked this wonderful hymn! I am bopping my head (no swinging of arms/legs since I'm typing in bed). Beautiful choice!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that I have the assurance of Jesus' salvation and eternal life. This was a great adaptation of a 135 year old song.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite oldies too!
ReplyDeleteReading the story behind the song...it was meant to be! :)
Love it! Music affects me the same way.
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