God make my life a little light
God make my life a little light. Matilda Barbara Betham Edwards* (1836-1919).
First published in Good Words in 1873 with the title ‘Hymn for a little child’ in a section entitled ‘Children’s Hymns’. In Britain it quickly became popular with Congregationalists (The Congregational Church Hymnal,1887, Congregational Hymnary, 1916), and subsequently appeared in the children’s section of many books, including MHB and CP :
God make my life a little light Within the world to glow;A little flame that burneth bright, Wherever I may go.
God make my life a little flower That giveth joy to allContent to bloom in native bower, Although the place be small.
God make my life a little song That...
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MLA style (see MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, 3rd Ed.)
. "God make my life a little light."
The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Canterbury Press. Web. 15 Feb. 2026.<
http://www.hymnology.co.uk/g/god-make-my-life-a-little-light>.
Chicago style (see The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Ed.)
. "God make my life a little light."
The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Canterbury Press, accessed February 15, 2026,
http://www.hymnology.co.uk/g/god-make-my-life-a-little-light.