This delightful song appeared in a handful of hymn books in the early 1900’s under the title “Joy Of Forgiveness”. I’m going with the title “Gladness In My Heart Today” because those words are actually in the song. But the original title “Joy Of Forgiveness” tells us a lot about the reason for the song. Two titles, take your pick. Either way, the song is a tiny treasure chest of reasons to practice a cheerful frame of mind. Please give it a sing-along listen and come back to compare our song’s lyrics with some Bible verses. I think you’ll agree this song is rich with good news.

Good words of good news

This song about the “joy of forgiveness” manages to weave together and set to melody a rich list of uplifting words and expressions, including:
gladness
peace
joy
comfort
love
sunshine
light that satisfies
a taste of paradise
the Spirit of the Lord now dwells within
the Spirit of the Lord has come to stay
the Comforter has come to keep my soul
my soul has found a home in Christ the Lord

Look at the list one more time. Give each item a moment to soak in. Why is this list so pleasant to read? Because we see a whole lot of Bible topics that are great news for us. The song’s lyrics suggest topics for dozens of Bible lessons.

Lyrics and chapter and verse

A good “Bible” song ought to bring Bible things to mind. This is a rich song that way. It mentions many wonderful benefits and blessings from the Lord. It also reminds us of how these blessings & benefits are released to us. (HINT — watch for lyrics about actions the Lord takes and actions which are ours to take.)

Let’s have some fun and do a little digging, looking at lyrics and at the Bible.

BENEFITS & BLESSINGS FROM THE LORD & some related verses —

from the lyrics — ♫ love, joy, peace, gladness, comfort,
sunshine, light that satisfies, a taste of paradise

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance … [Galatians5:22:23a]

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
[Isaiah 51:11 ESV]

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
[Isaiah 26:3 ESV]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
[2 Corinthians 1:13,14 BSB]

How sweet is the daylight, and how pleasant it is for someone’s eyes to behold the sunshine! [Ecclesiastes 11:7 ISV]

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
[Psalm 119:105 ESV]

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
[Matthew 6:10 BSB]
(Think how seeing God’s will done on earth relates to getting “a taste of paradise”.)

So HOW does the Lord connect such blessings with His people? Notice the lyrics include some “Lord” action and some “my” action —

“MY” ACTIONS according to the song lyrics —
♫ my soul has found a home in Christ the Lord

These lyrics make me think of my role in having “sonship” and “fellowship”.
I found a home in Christ by accepting the gift of sonship, which includes everlasting life.
I’m reminded of Romans 10
… that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. [Romans 10:9]

I remain at home in Christ the Lord through fellowship with the Lord.
When I sin and break fellowship,
I’m reminded of 1 John, which shows me how to get back in fellowship.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. . . .
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:3,9 BSB]

THE LORD’S ACTIONS according to the song lyrics —
♫ the Spirit of the Lord now dwells within
♫ the Spirit of the Lord has come to stay
♫ the Comforter has come to keep my soul

The lyrics remind me of what the Bible says on where the Spirit of the Lord dwells —
Colossians 1:27 says “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

The lyrics remind me of what the Bible says on how long the Spirit of the Lord stays —
… for He Himself has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
[Hebrews 13:5b BLB]

The lyrics remind me of what the Bible says on the promise Jesus made that the Comforter would come — and that the Comforter has come!
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [John 14:16]

If all that is too much to look at, how about a “Cliff’s Notes” summary verse covering the whole song? — “For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity. O LORD of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!”
[Psalm 84:11,12 BSB]

Would you agree the Bible — and our song — declare that the Lord is loving and likes to bless “the man who trusts” in Him? Sing the song or read the lyrics again. You’ll likely see more there than you did the first time through.

That kind of song

I admire a song that helps us run good thoughts through our minds. Such a song is both a treasure and a servant. I think this is that kind of song.

Not everything we deal with in life is going to bring gladness. This song declares the Lord puts MUCH in our lives that will bring gladness — all the more if we will think about it. We can — and really must — think about what we are thinking about. We do well to avoid listening to the drivel-of-doom chattered about by pessimists.

The Lord does much to bless us. Let’s keep the lights on. Let’s keep the sunshine of the Lord’s goodness in our thinking. Let’s make time each day to embrace the joy of forgiveness.

What a difference might it make
If in the morning you’d awake
And greet the Lord and smile and say
“There’s gladness in my heart today”

God bless you lots
-Dale R.

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS – Gladness In My Heart Today
Text and tune: A. S. DeYoe (1900)

1. There is gladness in my heart today, today,
A peace I cannot tell;
For the Spirit of the Lord now dwells within,
And with my soul ’tis well.
There is gladness in my heart today,
Which peace and joy impart;
For the Spirit of the Lord has come to stay,
There’s gladness in my heart.

2. There is comfort in my heart today, today,
A joy that constant springs;
For the Comforter has come to keep my soul,
And love and gladness brings.
There is comfort in my heart today,
Which peace and joy impart;
For the Spirit of the Lord has come to stay,
There’s comfort in my heart.

3. There is sunshine in my heart today, today,
A light that satisfies;
For my soul has found a home in Christ the Lord,
A taste of paradise.
There is sunshine in my heart today,
Which peace and joy impart;
For the Spirit of the Lord has come to stay,
There’s sunshine in my heart.

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