My Savior First of All (I Shall Know Him)

The hymn "I Shall Know Him"—often identified by its opening line, "When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide," and its well-known refrain “I shall know Him, I shall know Him, by the print of the nails in His hand”—is a beloved gospel hymn that reflects deep personal longing for and assurance of meeting Jesus Christ in heaven. The hymn is frequently referred to by its refrain or by the alternate title "My Saviour First of All." It was written by Fanny J. Crosby, one of the most prolific and cherished hymn writers in Christian history.

Background and Authorship

Fanny Jane Crosby (1820–1915), though blinded in infancy, went on to write over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs. Her blindness did not hinder her vision of faith and eternal hope; in fact, it deepened it. Crosby often expressed that the first face she ever hoped to see would be that of her Savior, Jesus Christ. This theme of spiritual sight and longing for Christ permeates much of her work, and "My Saviour First of All" is one of the most vivid expressions of that hope.

The hymn was composed in 1891. The tune, titled "Recognition", was written by John R. Sweney, a close friend and frequent collaborator of Crosby’s. Sweney was a prominent music editor and choir director in the late 19th century, and he worked with Crosby on many hymns that were used widely in revivals, Sunday schools, and evangelical meetings.

Content and Meaning

The hymn begins with a reflection on the end of life’s journey—"When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide"—and immediately anticipates the joyful reunion with Christ. The use of the phrase “swelling tide” evokes the crossing of Jordan into the Promised Land, a common biblical metaphor for passing from death into eternal life. The imagery is rich with anticipation, peace, and the triumph of faith.

The most memorable and emotionally stirring part of the hymn is the refrain:

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand;
I shall know Him, I shall know Him
By the print of the nails in His hand.

This refrain reiterates the personal and unmistakable recognition of Christ—not by His glory, but by the nail-scarred hands, a symbol of His atoning sacrifice. For Crosby, this was a powerful and comforting image: that even in the glories of heaven, what would identify her Savior was His suffering love.

Though blind in her earthly life, Crosby’s lyrics convey the powerful belief that her spiritual sight in eternity would be unhindered. This gives the hymn both a theological depth and an emotional resonance, especially for those experiencing physical suffering, loss, or longing for heaven.

Legacy and Usage

"My Saviour First of All" became one of Crosby’s most cherished hymns and was widely sung at evangelistic crusades and funeral services throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It continues to be included in many hymnals today, especially in conservative evangelical and Baptist traditions.

The hymn is often sung in times of mourning or reflection, offering comfort with its hopeful assurance of reunion with Christ. It also functions as a testimony of personal faith and longing for a Savior who is both divine and intimately human—identified not by majesty alone, but by the marks of sacrificial love.

Its enduring popularity is a testament to the way Crosby's words resonate with believers’ hearts. They combine poetic beauty, theological truth, and personal devotion in a way that transcends generations.