CHRISTIAN LIFE >> FAITH & TRUST
SDAH 515
The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night His presence is near;
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
This blessed persuasion the Spirit brings in.
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: The Lord Is My Light
James Nicholson based this hymn on David’s bold declaration in Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation… the strength of my life,” crafting a text that celebrates God’s power to dispel fear, darkness, and weakness through His constant presence. Nicholson, who also wrote “Whiter Than Snow,” captures the confidence of a faith that shines steady through every storm. The tune—composed by Dr. John W. Bischoff, a noted musician who also revised the melody for “God Be With You”—supports the hymn with a bright, uplifting simplicity. Together, words and music affirm that when God is our light and strength, no shadow is too deep and no night too long for His saving grace.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
James Nicholson (1828-1876; see SDAH 318) based this hymn on the triumphant expression of David: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life” (Ps. 17:1). Clouds by day and darkness by night cannot extinguish the light of faith, and human weakness is covered by divine strength. Nicholson also wrote SDAH 318, “Whiter Than Snow.”
The tune, unnamed, was composed by Dr. John W. Bischoff (1849-1909; see SDAH 65). He revised the tune set to the words “God Be With You,” SDAH 65.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night His presence is near;
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
This blessed persuasion the Spirit brings in.
Refrain
The Lord is my light, my joy, and my song;
By day and by night He leads me along;
The Lord is my light, my joy, and my song;
By day and by night He leads me along.
2
The Lord is my light; though clods may arise,
Faith, stronger than sight, looks up to the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign:
Then how can I ever in darkness remain?
3
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my strength;
I know in His might I’ll conquer at length;
My weakness in mercy He covers with power,
And, walking by faith, He upholds me each hour.
4
The lord is my light, my all and in all;
There is in His sight no darkness at all;
He is my Redeemer, my Savior and King;
With saints and with angels His praises I sing.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Ps 27:1 (c) 2 Cor 5:7 (d) Col 3:11; Isa 49:26
Author
James Nicholson (1828-2876)
Metrical Number
10.10.11.11.Ref.
Composer
Dr. J.W. Bischoff (1849-1909)
