Sun of My Soul

Author – John Keble, 1792–1866
Composer – From the Katholisches Gesangbuch, Vienna, circa 1774
Tune Name – Hursley
Meter – LM (88.88)
Scripture Reference – Luke 24:29
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11, KJV)

John Keble, the author of "Sun of My Soul," was born on April 25, 1792, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. He was the son of a devout Anglican country pastor. Keble received his education at Oxford University, where he later served as Professor of Poetry for ten years. Despite his academic achievements, he chose to dedicate the latter part of his life to pastoral ministry in the small village of Hursley, serving a parish of just 1,500 people from 1835 until his death in 1866. Keble’s ministry was marked by humility, theological depth, and a deep love for liturgical tradition.

In 1827, Keble published The Christian Year, a volume of devotional poems arranged according to the liturgical calendar. "Sun of My Soul" was one of the poems included in that collection. Keble did not initially intend these poems to be used as hymns. Instead, his goal was to provide a devotional companion to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. Due to his modesty, he chose to publish the work anonymously. Despite this, the book quickly gained popularity and went through more than 100 editions before his death. The proceeds from the book were used to support the ministry of his small parish in Hursley, reflecting his quiet dedication to both his writing and pastoral responsibilities.

Keble’s influence extended beyond poetry and parish ministry. In 1833, he delivered a sermon at Oxford titled "National Apostasy," which is widely credited with sparking the Oxford Movement. This movement aimed to renew the Church of England from within by emphasizing its historical traditions, sacraments, and liturgical practices. Unlike the evangelicals of his day, Keble and his fellow leaders advocated for a more formal and ritual-centered spiritual renewal. While many leaders of the movement, such as John Henry Newman and Edward Caswall, eventually converted to Roman Catholicism, Keble remained loyal to the Church of England throughout his life. In 1869, Oxford University established Keble College in his honor, recognizing both his scholarship and enduring legacy. Over his lifetime, Keble wrote more than 700 hymns and also compiled a companion volume of tunes, either composed or collected, to accompany his texts.

The tune most commonly associated with "Sun of My Soul" is "Hursley," a melody that originated from the Katholisches Gesangbuch, a Roman Catholic hymnal published in Vienna around 1774. The tune was later adapted and became Keble’s personal preference for his text when it was included in the Metrical Psalter of 1855. It was fittingly named after the village church in Hursley, where Keble served faithfully for over three decades. The tune’s serene and meditative quality perfectly matches the hymn’s theme, which reflects a prayerful surrender to God’s presence at the close of day. Together, the text and tune form one of the most enduring and reflective evening hymns in the English-speaking world.