In the world of gospel music, John W. Peterson (1921-2006) wore many hats. He had written more than 1,000 gospel songs and tunes; he had composed about 30 cantatas, which have sold nearly 10 million copies; he had edited and compiled many hymnals; and he had served as president of the Singspiration music company (which, in the 1970s, was the most popular music publisher).
In the summer of 1961, he led the singing at the Montrose Bible Conference in Montrose, Pennsylvania. When he invited people in the audience to give personal testimonies, an elderly gentleman stood to his feet. John described it like this: “As he spoke, his face glowed, especially when told of that night when he came to Jesus Christ. The way he expressed it was: ‘Heaven came down and glory filled my soul’.”
Those words grabbed John, so he jotted them down. What a great theme for a song! Later that week, he wrote this song, both words and music.
The song reminds us of that amazing conversion experience when Jesus met the need of our heart and lives, making the darkness in our lives depart. Because of that experience our sins were taken away, as far as the east is from the west, and our night was turned to day. The song also speaks of our justification, our standing, and our amazing future, all made possible because of what happened to us and in us that wonderful day. If this has been your experience and your testimony then you too should be singing this song each day. Truly, for each believer, because of what happened that day as a result of the Cross, heaven did come down and glory did fill our soul! May we never forget to celebrate the result of God’s mercy and grace to us.
Lyrics Heaven Came Down Performed By Singspiration Chorale; Arranged By Ekeh Joshua
O what a wonderful, wonderful day-
Day I will never forget;
After I’d wandered in darkness away,
Jesus my Savior I met.
O what a tender, compassionate friend-
He met the need of my heart;
Shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling,
He made all the darkness depart!
Heaven came down
and glory filled my soul,
When at the cross
the Savior made me whole;
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day-
Heaven came down
and glory filled my soul!
Enjoy
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