Since Jesus Came Into My Heart

Some songs as a child were just simply enjoyable to sing. At youth events especially, the song Since Jesus Came Into My Heart was especially popular. On the refrain, often song leaders would hold out the word “Since” and then toward the end of the refrain, song leaders would have the congregation change notes with the word “roll” as they let it roll for some time. As hymns go, this one was a fun one, for sure.

Notice down below each line in the verses end with exclamation points! Why? Because this is a celebratory hymn related to the difference Jesus makes in our lives. I trust you will enjoy this great hymn as you read the lyrics. Be sure to check out the YouTube videos below as well where you can sing along.

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart Lyrics

The Theology

How fun to sing of the change it makes in life – since Jesus came into my heart. The verses highlight our relationship to sin and the hope of the future. In the five verses, highlight various nuances of the change Jesus brought to us at salvation. Although all the changes are great, I especially appreciate the first verse:

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Indeed, what a wonderful change and what beautiful light in our soul after we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior.

This upbeat message gets us prepared for verse two which emphasizes God’s work on our behalf related to our sin and sinning.

I have ceased from my wand’ring and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins which were many are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!

And the song rolls on. Steadfast hope. Future in heaven. Glorious days ahead.

The Author

Rufus H. McDaniel, author

We do not know much about this song’s author, Rufus H. McDaniel (b. 1850, d. 1940). Rufus was ordained in the Christian church in 1873, and found much joy in church music. He began writing hymns in the 1880’s. He wrote, “I feel in my soul that God has something for me to do in brightening the experience of struggling souls. My chief desire is to be a blessing, if possible, to my fellow-men through these hymns and thereby glorify God in the name of his dear son ‘whose I am and whom I serve.'”[2]

 

Enjoy This Media

Some groups singing the song from YouTube:

Here are the Gaither’s Homecoming Group singing an upbeat version of this song.

Classic congregational singing of all verses.

 

Here is the earliest published copy of the song from Hymns of the Heart, song #44 from 1914 [4]:

 

Here is a more modern version from Baptist Hymnal #441 [6]:

 

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