What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see. This is the primary line of the traditional Christian hymn “What a Day That Will Be”. Written by Jim Hill in 1907, it has been a beloved hymn among Christian congregations for over a century. It is a reflection of one’s longing to be reunited with Jesus and the joy that will be experienced when that day eventually arrives.
The lyrics of the hymn are divided into three stanzas and the chorus. They allude to the blissful feelings of salvation and the joy of being reunited with Jesus in heaven. The language is full of imagery, often invoking images of a beautiful, peaceful place that one can look forward to. The chorus is especially powerful in its simplicity, repeating the same line over and over again.
The Lyrics
The first stanza of the song reads as follows: “What a day, glorious day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace, when He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land. What a day, glorious day that will be.”
The second stanza goes on to say: “What a day, wonderful day that will be, when my burdens all are free. When I stand in His embrace, and see Him face to face, when He shows me the scars, and tells me of the pain He bore. What a day, wonderful day that will be.”
The third stanza speaks of the joy of the resurrection: “What a day, holy day that will be, when the saints all gather ’round. When we sing with one accord, and stand before our Lord, when the trumpet’s silver sound, proclaims the dead shall now be found. What a day, holy day that will be.”
The chorus of the song is a simple and powerful repetition of the first line of the hymn: “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see.” This repeated line is a reminder of the ultimate joy that awaits us when we are reunited with Jesus.
The Meaning
The song speaks of the longing to be reunited with Jesus and the joy that will be experienced when that day arrives. Through the use of vivid imagery, it paints a picture of a beautiful, peaceful place that one can look forward to. It speaks of the assurance of salvation and the joy of being reunited with Jesus, even in the midst of suffering. The chorus is a powerful reminder of the ultimate joy that awaits us when we are reunited with Jesus.
Conclusion
The hymn “What a Day That Will Be” is a beautiful reflection of one’s longing to be reunited with Jesus and the joy that will be experienced when that day arrives. It speaks of the assurance of salvation and the joy of being reunited with Jesus, even in the midst of suffering. The chorus is a powerful reminder of the ultimate joy that awaits us when we are reunited with Jesus.
