God Is Dwelling In My Heart

This is a hymn about the presence of God, reportedly inspired by 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

It was the first hymn (ref) written by Australia Roman Catholic (Franciscan Missionary of Mary) religious sister, Irene O'Connor FMM (ref), originally released under the pseudonym Myriam Frances.

It was written in the 1960s while she was working as a teacher in Singapore, and initially recorded there in 1967 in the first edition of and early album (name TBA). It was later included on an LP, Sing a Song to the Lord (ref), which was recorded and released by Phillips in Australia in 1973. It was reportedly included in a cathedral hymnal in Singapore(*), and appears to have been used in a number of places since.

No sources of sheet music have been located, although records from the National Library of Australia says that a 27-page song book was produced in the 1970s.

If you know where to find the sheet music for this song, please leave a message in the Comments box at the bottom of the page, or email mary@godsongs.net.

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

PowerPoint slides

Examples

Choir and congregation with band:

Small group with backing track:

Vocals and electric guitar - mixed:

Choir with guitars:

Instrumental - synthesizer - country style:

Instrumental - piano:

Instrumental - piano with backing track:

Music group and congregation in a church service - words and guitar chords on scren:

Singer with ukulele:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website (page 39). A rough outline is:

Chorus:
God is dwelling in my heart, He and I are one,
All this joy he gives to me, through Christ His Son.
And with Jesus in my heart, what have I to fear,
For he is the Son of God, in my heart He is near.

1. Christians, who are baptised,
Have you ever realised,
The great mystery,
God dwells in you and me.

2. This joy, God gave to you,
Share it then with others too,
Tell them that god is love,
Lift their hearts above.