One day several months ago I went to church with a heavy heart. Our family had just been through a bitter-sweet experience, and that day was feeling more bitter than sweet. The service began, and the song leader announced the hymn: “When Morning Gilds the Skies.” I opened my hymnal and sang along obediently. Verse 1, then verse 2. As we sang, I took in the words, especially verse 2. “Does sadness fill my mind?” Yes, it does. “A solace here I find.” What is it? “May Jesus Christ be praised!” Okay, Lord, I’m listening. “Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this: May Jesus Christ be praised!” With those words, my sorrow began to fade as my heart was filled with praise to my Savior. We didn’t sing all the stanzas that day, but I’ve included all of them here for our mutual benefit. This truly is a beautiful hymn of praise.

When Morning Gilds the Skies

Author Unknown

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer,
To Jesus I repair;
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies,
My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest,
With this I shield my breast:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day
When from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The pow’rs of darkness fear
When this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

In heav’n’s eternal bliss
The loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea, and sky
From depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
My song of love divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song
Through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!