The author and composer of this favorite gospel hymn, Elton M. Roth, was born in Berne, Indiana. At the age of fourteen, he directed his first church choir. Later, he attended the Moody Bible Institute as well as the Fort Wayne Bible School of Indiana. Roth also did further, serious, music study with several, prominent, European music teachers. For a time, he traveled extensively with several evangelists as their song leader and choir director. Roth then taught for a period of time at several different Bible schools and colleges, including a six-year period at the Missionary Training Institute in Nyack, NY.
Roth later moved to Los Angeles, where he became increasingly known as a distinguished church musician, singer, composer, and conductor. In the 1930’s, he organized a professional group known as the Ecclesia Choir, which performed many anthems and more than 100 sacred songs, for which he composed the music and generally the text as well. It is interesting to note, however, that of all of Roth’s compositions, only this simple gospel hymn, written in his early ministry, is still in general use.
Some people would say that singing is evidence of a life filled with the Holy Spirit, and perhaps this is so, if it’s the right kind of singing. Roth was a Spirit-filled man who wrote this song while taking a break from leading evangelistic meetings in Texas in 1923. Walking on an oppressively hot afternoon, he paused at the open door of an empty church. He stepped inside and felt God’s presence there and began singing some of the above words.
Soon he had written the whole song, and he introduced it at an open-air meeting that evening. The song was quickly learned by a choir of over two hundred young people, and after they had sung it, the audience joined in. Elton said, “I was thrilled as it seemed my whole being was transformed by the song.”
There’s a melody that rings in each heart where Jesus lives. It’s a sweet melody—one that speaks to our soul of God’s love . . . What a blessing it is to express our thankfulness to God for His love, grace, and mercy. Our words, thoughts, and feelings of gratitude harmonize with the angels in heaven even now, for we’ve begun to sing our melody of love. It’s a song that will never end.
Biblestudytools.com, Ashley Hooker: Mary teaches us about our personal walk with Christ. The first thing that shines is how Mary had been what one pastor calls, "saturated with Scripture." Her words allude to passages found in Psalm 22, 44, 103 and many others . . . Mary also displayed a heart of humility. In verse 47 Mary says, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior." She recognizes that God is her Savior – meaning she is a sinner . . . Mary’s song is a song of praise. She is saying that the Lord is great . . . her song speaks of who she is and how deep her faith is. In verses 46-47 she says, "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Godtube.com, Clarke's Bible Commentary: All parts of the creation, animate and inanimate, are represented here as giving praise to the Lord Jesus, because by Him all things were created. We find the whole creation gives precisely the same praise, and in the same terms, to Jesus Christ, who is undoubtedly meant here by the Lamb just slain as they give to God who sits upon the throne.”
Preceptaustin.org: Let the Christian truth have its enduring abode "within you"- let it be no stranger or occasional guest in your heart. Let it not be without you, as a lesson to be learned, but within you, as the source of cherished and permanent illumination. Let it stay within you-abundantly. That is, let it be completely understood, or let the soul be fully under its influence. Let it dwell not with a scanty foothold, but with a large and liberal occupancy.
This hymn is a perfect example of Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:19, “. . . speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”
When our worship and personal experience are full of joy and song, it will be easier for our lives to encourage others to know this same happiness.
By His Grace . . .
