Philip P‭. ‬Bliss‭: ‘‬I will sing of my redeemer‭’‬

Philip Paul Bliss, song writer-composer, was born in Clearfield County, Rome, Pennsylvania, on July 9, 1838. God placed the music of faith deep within his heart, and he shared those musical gifts with the world. Pick-up and browse through most any Christian hymnal and you will see the songs and hymns of Philip P. Bliss. He wrote hundreds of gospel songs. This chaplain has sung his songs of faith for a long time, and after finding out about his tragic death at the age of 38, my appreciation for the songs of Philip Bliss has taken on more significance. 

Philip and his wife Lucy were friends and associates of Evangelist Dwight L. Moody. He was to Dwight L. Moody. He was to Dwight L. Moody in the late 1800s what George Beverly Shea has been to Billy Graham during the Graham’s crusades over the past 50 to 60 years. 

Philip and Lucy Bliss were on the way back to Chicago by train from a Christmas visit to Philip’s family. Philip was to participate in an evangelistic service at the Moody Tabernacle when tragedy struck unexpectedly in Ashtabula, Ohio. Here is the record as stated in the book “Amazing Grace,” a compilation of hymn stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990.

“At the age of 38, at the very height of his fruitful music ministry, Bliss’s life was suddenly ended in the tragic train accident. He had visited his mother at his childhood home in Rome, Pennsylvania, during Christmas season of 1876, and was returning by train to Chicago on Dec. 29 with his wife Lucy when a railroad bridge near Ashtabula, Ohio collapsed. Their train plunged into a ravine 60 feet below and caught fire. One hundred passengers perished miserably. Bliss survived the fall and escaped through a window bur frantically returned to the wreckage in an attempt to rescue his wife. As a result, he perished with her in the fire … Quite miraculously, however, among Bliss’s belongings in the train wreckage was found a manuscript which Bliss had been working. It contained these significant words: ‘I will sing of my Redeemer and His wondrous love to me; on the cruel cross He suffered, for the curse to set me free … Sing, O sing of my Redeemer; with His blood He purchased me; on the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.'”

The songs of Philip P. Bliss live on to bless, to inspire and to comfort. 

Peace!