Hymn Story of "Sunshine in My Soul Today"

 Good afternoon..

I have a great hymn history to share with you today. One of the outstanding hymn writers was Eliza Hewitt. This hymn "Sunshine in My Soul Today" was written by Eliza after she suffered a serious injury. The lyrics and an excellent performance of the hymn are included.

Psalm 92:1 “I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name,  O thou most High.”

In 1851 Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born, and grew to be valedictorian of her class and a school teacher in Pennsylvania.  At some point in her teaching career an unruly student struck her on the back with a piece of heavy slate.  This injury left Eliza in a heavy cast for months, confined to her room.

During this time of painful confinement, Eliza was determined not to be bitter, and started writing hymns.  Many of them were praise hymns, such as:  Stepping in the Light, Singing I Go, Victory in Jesus and many more.

When she was able to go outside for the first time on a spring day, she enjoyed the warmth of the sun.  Returning to her room with a joyful heart, she wrote the hymn Sunshine in my Soul Today.

 

O there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,

When the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face,

There is sunshine in my soul.

Eliza did improve but suffered health problems for the rest of her life.  She went on to do work in various Sunday School capacities, a passion of hers.  At one time she had a class numbering 200.

In researching this incredible woman of faith, it was very surprising to learn Eliza was a great friend to blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby.  Here are a couple verses of a poem Eliza wrote and read at Fanny’s funeral.

 

And when you pass from time away

To meet your Lord and King,

In heaven you’ll meet ten thousand souls,

That you have taught to sing.

A few more years to sing the song

Of our Re­deem­er’s love;

Then by His grace both you and I

Shall sing His praise above.

God has a plan for each and every one of us and despite the difficult circumstances that we face or have faced, He can make something beautiful from ashes.   

Psalm 29:11  “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”  

Eliza Hewitt is remembered for the great hymns that have brought comfort to thousands if not millions of people.   Had she not suffered this terrible injury, these hymns that speak to our hearts, would not have been written.

Lyrics to Sunshine in My Soul Today"

1. There is 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,

While the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face

There is sunshine in my soul.

 

2. There is music in my soul today,

  A carol to my King;

And Jesus, listening, can hear

  The song I cannot sing.

3. There is 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 is gladness in my soul today,

  And hope, and praise, and love,

For blessings which He gives me now,

  For joys laid up above.