Philip Bliss (1838 – 1876) is one of the greatest names in American hymnody, especially in gospel songs, second only to one of his peers, Fanny Crosby (1820-1915). Every hymnal published in America in the last century will be found to contain numerous hymns by Bliss. These will include both words and music for “I Am So Glad That Our Father in Heaven,” “Man of Sorrows, What a Name,” “The Light of the World Is Jesus,” “Dare to Be a Daniel,” “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning,” and “Wonderful Words of Life.” In addition to those, he wrote words for “With Harps and with Viols” and music for “It Is Well with My Soul,” all these and more written just during the 12 years before his death.
One of his best-known is the focus of this study” I Will Sing of My Redeemer,” probably the last hymn that he wrote before his tragic death.