The story behind the hymn
“Blessed Assurance” began with the music. Phoebe Palmer Knapp composed the tune first, and Fanny Crosby wrote words to fit it. Crosby later said the melody and the hymn seemed meant for each other.
The words and tune were first published together in 1873 in John R. Sweney’s Gems of Praise. The hymn then spread through Ira D. Sankey’s hymnals and became a mainstay of evangelistic meetings, including the Billy Graham crusades.
Crosby was blind from infancy and wrote thousands of hymns. This one is about seeing in another way: a settled confidence that the believer belongs to Christ.
The Scripture behind it
Romans 8:16
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” Read Romans 8:14–17 in full.
A short reflection
Assurance is not arrogance. It rests on what Christ has done, not on how strong our feelings are today. On the days you doubt, return to the promise rather than the mood.
Lord Jesus, I am yours. Strengthen my confidence in your finished work. Amen.
The full words
Read the full words of this hymn, with tunes and scores, on Hymnary.org.
Read the full hymn text →Source for author, dates and public-domain status: Hymnary.org. Scripture quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).