CHRISTIAN LIFE >> JOY & PEACE
SDAH 470
There’s sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light.
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: There’s Sunshine in My Soul Today
Written by Eliza Hewitt (1851–1920) after months of painful recovery from a spinal injury, this hymn radiates joy rather than complaint. Inspired by her first walk outdoors after convalescence, Hewitt was moved by the warmth of springtime, the songs of birds, and the beauty of creation, all of which reminded her of the light Christ brings to the heart (2 Cor. 4:6). Set to music by John R. Sweney in 1883, the song overflows with themes of sunshine, gladness, and song—reminding us that the presence of Jesus fills life with unshakable joy, even in the midst of trials.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
AIthough Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920; see Biographies) was afflicted with spinal trouble, this hymn that she wrote betrays no suggestion of pain or complaint. It illustrates the change in outlook caused by the knowledge of the Lord Jesus: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). The hymn tells of only joyous things, sunshine, music, springtime, gladness, all of which come because of a satisfying experience of the presence of Jesus Christ in the life.
The tune, unnamed, was composed in 1883 by John Robson Sweney (1837-1899), who was a former chorister in Eliza Hewitt’s church.
The occasion that inspired the hymn was the end of a long convalescence when Hewitt took a short walk outdoors. She had been hit by a slate thrown by a pupil, and for six months her back had been in a heavy plaster cast. But this morning the sound and sights of springtime, the birds, the flowers, the warmth of the sun, caused her heart to overflow with gladness as she realized the good things that even in this life the Lord has in store for those who trust Him.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
There’s sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light.
Refrain
O there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,
When the peaceful, happy moments roll
When Jesus shows His smiling face
There is sunshine in the soul.
2
There’s music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,
And Jesus, listening, can hear
The songs I cannot sing.
3
There’s springtime in my soul today,
For when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flowers of grace appear.
4
There’s gladness in my soul today,
And hope, and praise, and love,
For blessings which He gives me now,
For joys “laid up” above.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Ps 27:1 (d) 2 Tim 4:9
Author
E.E. Hewitt (1851-1920)
Metrical Number
C.M. Ref.
Composer
John R. Sweney (1837-1899)
