Summer Suns Are Glowing

“Summer Suns Are Glowing” is a hymn written by William Walsham How, an Anglican bishop and prolific hymn writer, in 1872. Known for his devotional clarity and poetic sensitivity, How often crafted hymns that reflected both the beauty of creation and the majesty of God’s providence.

This hymn celebrates God’s creation as an expression of His glory and care. Psalm 19:1-2 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.” How draws upon this imagery to depict the radiance of the summer sun as a visible sign of God’s sustaining power and daily provision.

Matthew 5:45 emphasizes God’s impartial goodness: “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” The hymn echoes this theme, encouraging believers to recognize God’s mercy and faithfulness in the natural rhythms of life and the world around them.

The hymn is gentle yet uplifting, inviting meditation on both God’s creative majesty and His constant care for humanity. It encourages worshippers to respond in gratitude and praise, acknowledging God’s hand in every aspect of the natural world. Revelation 22:5, which speaks of God’s everlasting light, also complements the hymn’s imagery: “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.”

“Summer Suns Are Glowing” remains a cherished hymn for seasonal worship, particularly in summer services, outdoor gatherings, or celebrations of God’s creation. Its combination of natural imagery, biblical grounding, and reflective tone inspires believers to see the divine presence in the ordinary cycles of life, deepening both appreciation and devotion to the Creator.