Daniel Iverson

Daniel Iverson (1890–1977) was an American Presbyterian minister and hymn writer, best known for composing the beloved hymn “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.” Born in Brunswick, Georgia, Iverson pursued an extensive theological and academic education, studying at the University of Georgia, Moody Bible Institute, Columbia Theological Seminary, and the University of South Carolina. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1914 and dedicated his life to pastoral ministry and evangelism in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

In 1926, while attending an evangelistic crusade led by the George Stephens Evangelistic Team in Orlando, Florida, Iverson was inspired by a sermon on the Holy Spirit to write the first stanza and tune of a hymn. This hymn was immediately used at the crusade and later distributed as leaflets to other services. Initially published anonymously in Robert H. Coleman's Revival Songs (1929) with slight alterations to the tune, the hymn gained widespread recognition and popularity, particularly by the mid-20th century. Since the 1960s, proper credit has been restored to Iverson as the author and composer.

Beyond hymn writing, Iverson was a committed church planter and evangelist. In 1927, he founded the Shenandoah Presbyterian Church in Miami, Florida, where he served until his retirement in 1951. During his ministry in Miami, he established seven additional congregations, demonstrating his passion for expanding the reach of the church and nurturing new communities of faith. Iverson passed away in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1977, leaving a lasting legacy in both American hymnody and Presbyterian ministry. His hymn continues to be a staple in worship worldwide, celebrated for its simplicity, spiritual depth, and enduring appeal.