It is significant that this bright, cheerful hymn, that came to us more than 120 years ago, was written and composed by individuals whose lives saw sorrow and suffering. The author, limited by disability, found gladness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the fourth verse looks forward to joys laid up (or stored away) above, perhaps some she was denied in this life.

In the second verse the reference to the songs I cannot sing may also be a metaphor for other limitations of disability, where the heart is willing but the flesh is not able. What comfort she provides by her confidence that Jesus knows the desires of the heart. The composer, who must have witnessed terrible scenes of war, could still draw from inspiration to craft a melody with sprightly energy. Our challenges may be different from theirs, but they set a great example to follow.