James Edmeston (10 September 1791 – 7 January 1867) was an English architect and surveyor; he was also known as a prolific writer of church hymns.

His maternal grandfather was the Reverend Samuel Brewer, congregationalist pastor at Stepney Meeting House for 50 years.

He designed several structures in London, including drinking fountains, the Uzielli memorial in Highgate Cemetery and the church of St Paul's, Onslow Square.

He served as the church warden at St. Barnabas in Homerton, Middlesex, and was a strong supporter of and frequent visitor to the London Orphan Asylum.

The hymn has been set to several tunes, one of which, Mannheim, is by German composer Friedrich Filitz.