Isaiah 62:4 says, “You will be called Hepzibah, and your land Beulah.”
Fanny Crosby wrote the lyrics to the hymn “I Have Entered Beulah Land.” The song was first published in 1886.
John R. Sweney wrote the melody. He was born on December 31, 1837 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. As a body he began to teach music in the public schools and Sunday school performances. He took piano and voilin lessons and studied with one of the best teachers of the day in his area.
During the Civil War, he took charge of the Delaware Regiment he served in. After the war, he became Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He’d remain there for over twenty-five years and receive a Doctor of Music in 1886.
He wrote the music for over a thousand gospel songs, often collaborating with Fanny Crosby, and other hymn writers of the day. He also worked on a number of collections of music books.
He died on April 10, 1899 in Chester, Pennsylvania.
His second wife, Lizzie E. Hinkson, also composed music with Fanny Crosby.