Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance was commissioned and premiered in 1985 by the Riverside Church, NYC, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was broadcast nationally the following year during the inaugural celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Dr. King's own Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, conducted by Dr. Wendell Whalum. It has since become standard repertoire for that holiday. The Ocean Grove Choral Festival in New Jersey counted Blessed Assurance among its Top Ten Anthems of Festival History in 1997 and included the piece on its special fortieth anniversary CD that same year.

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.

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.

Text: Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915)
Tune: Phoeb Knapp (1839-1908)