O! SAY BUT I'M GLAD

In Psalm 9:2 the Psalmist proclaims "I will be glad and rejoice in Thee; I will sing praise"   Now I'm not sure that we use the word glad too often to describe our Christian life as the Psalmist testifies.  But a thesaurus says that other choices for the word glad could be thrilled, elated or thankful.  And certainly they could be ways to describe our joy, a gift of the Holy Spirit, that believers should experience despite circumstances.  Being a believer in Christ does not shelter us from human circumstances and the challenges that are common to man.  We get sick, we hurt, we have disappointments, we are forsaken, we are left out, we are mistreated.  But there is a big difference - we are forgiven, we are given a peace that passes all understanding, we have joy, real joy, and we should be glad, thrilled, elated and thankful. Now once again we know nothing about the circumstances that caused the writing of these words.  But, the author must have experienced the forgiveness and joy which only comes through knowing the Lord Jesus Christ personally.  We also don't know much about the author, James Patrick Sullivan, who was born in 1876.  He probably was a pastor since some books list him as the "Rev. James P. Sullivan".  The music was added by Mildred Sullivan Lacour.  The song was copyrighted in 1930 and "dedicated to Bishop A. J. Moore."  Unfortunately we all know people who call themselves believers but who never seem to radiate joy or appear to be glad that they know the Lord.  But when we really understand what He has done for us and that His Spirit indwells us, it should radiate to our faces, our conversations, and the way that we approach life each day.  May this week's song remind you of that this week and may its message captivate your mind each day.  O! say but I'm glad, Jesus has come and my cup's overrun, O! say but I'm glad!

(1)    There is a song in my heart today,

Something I never had;

Jesus has taken my sins away,

O! say, but I'm glad.

O! say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,

O! say, but I'm glad,

Jesus has come and my cup's overrun;

O! say, but I'm glad.

(2)    Wonderful, marvelous love He brings,

Into a heart that's sad;

Through darkest tunnels the soul just sings,

O! say, but I'm glad.

O! say, but I'm glad.

O! say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,

O! say, but I'm glad,

Jesus has come and my cup's overrun;

O! say, but I'm glad.

(3)    We have a fellowship rich and sweet,

Tongues can never relate;

Abiding in Him: the soul's Retreat,

O! but say, I'm glad.

O! say, but I'm glad.

O! say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,

O! say, but I'm glad,

Jesus has come and my cup's overrun;

O! say, but I'm glad.

(4)    Won't you come to Him with all your care,

Weary and worn and sad?

You, too, will sing as His love you share,

O! say, but I'm glad.

O! say, but I'm glad.

O! say, but I'm glad, I'm glad,

O! say, but I'm glad,

Jesus has come and my cup's overrun;

O! say, but I'm glad.

You can listen to it here.    LISTEN