I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art

I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art is a metrical hymn based on the theological writing of Jean Calvin and rendered into English verse by Elizabeth Lee Smith in 1869. The original text reflects Calvin’s devotional prose, written in the mid-sixteenth century, and is rooted in his profound emphasis on union with Christ, assurance of salvation, and steadfast hope in the face of death. Smith’s translation introduced this rich Reformation-era meditation to English-speaking worshipers while preserving its doctrinal clarity and reverent tone.

The hymn opens with a strong confession of personal faith in Christ as Redeemer, echoing Job’s declaration, “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25). Calvin’s theology consistently stressed that true assurance rests not in human merit but in Christ alone, apprehended by faith. This theme permeates the hymn, as the believer confidently addresses Christ as both Savior and life itself, even in the presence of suffering or mortality.

A central focus of the hymn is the believer’s union with Christ. Lines affirm that because Christ lives, the believer also shall live, a truth grounded in passages such as Galatians 2:20 and Romans 8:31-39. The hymn reflects Calvin’s teaching that salvation is not merely a future hope but a present reality, secured by Christ’s finished work and sustained by His continual intercession. Death, therefore, is stripped of its terror, becoming a passage into fuller communion with the Lord.

Elizabeth Lee Smith’s translation is notable for its faithfulness and restraint. Rather than embellishing the text with sentimental language, she preserves the sober confidence and doctrinal weight characteristic of Reformation hymnody. The result is a hymn well suited for both congregational singing and personal reflection, especially in contexts that emphasize assurance, perseverance, and Christian hope in life and death.

I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art remains a valuable hymn for teaching and worship. It connects modern believers with the heart of Reformation faith, reminding them that their comfort, identity, and future rest entirely in Christ alone. Through its clear confession and steady hope, the hymn continues to testify to the enduring strength of gospel-centered assurance.