Sunshine in My Soul

“Sunshine in the Soul” is a radiant hymn of joy and spiritual contentment written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt in 1887. Known for her bright, encouraging gospel songs, Hewitt was a gifted writer who turned personal suffering into inspiration. After a severe spinal injury left her bedridden for years, she found renewed strength in Christ and began writing hymns that reflected her inner hope and steadfast faith. “Sunshine in the Soul” is one of her most enduring works, celebrating the deep joy that comes from a life rooted in Christ’s presence.

The hymn opens with a declaration of joy: “There is sunshine in my soul today.” This sunshine is not a result of outward circumstances but an inward spiritual reality. It represents the light and gladness that fills the believer’s heart when they live in fellowship with Jesus. The first stanza contrasts this “glorious and bright” sunshine with natural sunlight, suggesting that the joy of the Lord surpasses even the brightest day. The cause of this joy is clear—Christ’s presence brings peace and grace into the soul, even in times of trial.

As the hymn progresses, Hewitt expands the metaphor of sunshine to include music, springtime, and hope. The second stanza likens the joy in her soul to music in the air, a melody that is sweet and constant because it is inspired by her Savior’s loving care. In the third stanza, she draws imagery from nature—springtime showers and blooming flowers—to describe the refreshing influence of God’s blessings on the heart. This seasonal imagery conveys renewal, beauty, and abundance, all of which come from the Lord’s gentle presence in her life.

The final stanza points upward, linking the soul’s sunshine to the anticipation of heaven. Hewitt sings of the joy that comes from the hope of glory and the promise of eternal life. This expectation doesn’t dampen her current joy but enhances it, as she looks forward to the fulfillment of all God’s promises. Each stanza concludes with a refrain of praise: “Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,” affirming that the presence of Jesus dispels all gloom and fills the heart with rejoicing.

Set to music by John R. Sweney, the hymn's melody is light and cheerful, matching the theme of radiant inner joy. “Sunshine in the Soul” has remained popular for over a century, especially in Sunday schools and revival meetings, where its encouraging message has comforted and uplifted many hearts. Eliza Hewitt’s hymn stands as a powerful reminder that joy in the Lord is not tied to life’s circumstances but flows from a heart that walks daily in the light of His countenance.