“About the Hymns: My Song in the Night,” About the Hymns (2026)
About the Hymns
My Song in the Night
This hymn’s title comes from Psalm 77:6: “I call to remembrance my song in the night.” In this psalm, the writer cries out in anguish, wondering if the Lord has forgotten him, but ultimately finds comfort by choosing to “remember the works of the Lord” (Psalm 77:11). “My Song in the Night” mirrors this journey.
The first two verses of “My Song in the Night” were inspired by a poem by British hymn writer Joseph Swain entitled “A Description of Christ.” An unknown author altered phrases from Swain’s poem and combined them with wording from other texts. Parts of Swain’s original poem have also been used in the hymns “Redeemer of Israel” and “His Voice as the Sound.”
Verse 3 comes from another hymn titled “My Song in the Night,” written by American hymn writer Frederick Graves. Hymns for Home and Church combines all three verses in one hymn for the first time.
Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for My Song in the Night
On This Page
Scriptures
Principles
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Jesus Christ offers us hope and help in times of loneliness, darkness, and difficulty.
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Jesus Christ is the only source of lasting comfort, peace, and joy.
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As we remember times when we have felt the Savior’s love, our faith and trust in Him will grow.
Questions to Ponder
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When have you felt the Savior’s help and comforting influence?
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How can you draw upon the love, strength, and comfort that Jesus Christ offers you?
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How can you help someone you love to feel the peace and comfort that come from trusting in Jesus Christ?
Related Gospel Study Guides
From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:
Activities for Families
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Recognize how Jesus Christ comforts us. Listen to or sing along with the recording of this hymn. Talk with your children about how Jesus Christ is like a “song in the night”—a source of comfort, peace, and hope during hard or lonely times. Listen to the hymn again and invite family members to identify words or phrases that describe Jesus, such as “love,” “delight,” and “comfort.” Invite your children to share about times that the Savior has brought them comfort.
Invite your children to share another song they listen to or sing when they need comfort. Play or sing those other songs together as a family. Then sing this hymn together. Talk about how the words and music in this hymn remind us that Jesus Christ offers true and lasting comfort to those who seek Him. Add this hymn to a playlist for your family, and listen to it often as a reminder that the Savior is always near and will bring comfort during dark times.
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Sing in the dark. Listen to or sing the hymn together as a family, paying attention to parts of the melody that repeat and make the hymn easier to remember. Sing the first verse several times until it feels familiar. Then turn off the lights and sing the verse together in the dark. Talk as a family about how Jesus Christ is a source of light and comfort. Reflect on how His love and presence bring peace—even in dark or difficult times.
Music Helps
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This hymn uses a
time signature, in which each beat equals a half note
in length. Each verse of this hymn begins with a partial measure, starting on beat 2. Since there are two half notes per measure in