On 1 May 1832 W. W. Phelps was given the task to "correct and print the Hymns which had been selected by Emma Smith, in fulfillment of the revelation." [1] The first issue of The Evening and the Morning Star came off Phelps' press in June. "Redeemer of Israel" was among the six hymns printed in this issue.
Inspired by a hymn by Joseph Swain, Phelps rewrote the song capturing "both the excitement and struggles of the new movement," [2] comparing the trials of the church to those of the ancient Hebrews. [3]
Transcriptions of the following are available:
- Entry for 1 May 1832 in Joseph Smith's Manuscript History, 1839, Book A-1
- Redeemer of Israel as first printed in The Evening and Morning Star
- Swain's "O Thou in Whose Presence" and Phelps' "Redeemer of Israel" side by side comparison