This catchy praise tune was written by Merla Watson, wife of Merv Watson.They are a husband-wife song writing and performing duo. It is published in 4 hymnals. Merla was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada of Swiss/Mennonite descent (née Lehman). She began piano lessons at 2 ½, violin at 4, composition at 9, voice at 11, and viola at 13. When only 3 years old, it was detected she had perfect pitch. By the time she was 15, she was a full-fledged professional musician, having amassed 150 awards and scholarships. She earned a solo performer’s A.R.C.T. from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto in both voice and piano at 16, and an Artist Diploma for viola (violin) in her early twenties. Her string quartet performed weekly on the CBC. She also had a music variety act which she did for many conventions and clubs.
Merv and Merla were married in 1962. They began to perform classical concerts, as well as musical variety acts for service clubs. During this period, Merv was appointed Director of the Christian Performing Arts of Canada. Following this, they both produced the Schoolhouse Concerts, a Christian performing arts concert series in Toronto’s oldest school house, which resulted in the schoolhouse being professionally renovated into an historic site. In 1967, after a powerful experience with the Holy Spirit, they felt the Lord’s call to launch out into fulltime music ministry. Merla writes all the music they sing and play. (She has written almost 500 worship songs, e.g. “Jehovah Jireh”, “Awake, O Israel,” “Then Shall the Virgin Rejoice”, “He That Keepeth Israel” [“Hiney Lo Yanum”]). This ministry was to be entirely on faith, depending upon the Lord for their sustenance.
During the late 60’s and early 70’s, they led the Toronto Catacombs, drawing from 2-3000 young folk per week, among whom was Benny Hinn who came to the Lord. It was developed out of Merv’s high school class. It met in St. Paul’s Cathedral and resulted in hundreds of young folk committing their lives to
