Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus: A Song of Hope and Encouragement
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus is a timeless hymn that has inspired and encouraged Christians for over a century. The song's lyrics speak of the hope and peace that can be found by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The hymn's message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written, reminding us to keep our focus on Christ amidst the challenges and struggles of life.
The Story Behind Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
The origins of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus can be traced back to a time of great turmoil and tragedy in the life of its author, Helen Howarth Lemmel. Born in England in 1863, Lemmel was a gifted musician and singer who moved to the United States in 1904 to pursue her music career.
In 1918, Lemmel's life took a dramatic turn when she developed an eye condition that threatened to leave her blind. Despite undergoing several surgeries, her vision continued to deteriorate, and she was eventually left with only a small amount of sight in one eye.
Despite her physical struggles, Lemmel remained faithful and continued to find hope and encouragement in Christ. In 1922, while attending a missionary conference in California, she was inspired by a sermon on Hebrews 12:2, which reads, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
The words of this verse resonated deeply with Lemmel, and she was inspired to write a new hymn that would encourage others to turn their eyes upon Jesus. She later wrote, "Suddenly, as if commanded to stop and listen, I stood still, and singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with not one conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, the verses marching along, like soldiers on parade."
The resulting hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, was an instant success and quickly became a beloved favorite among Christians around the world.
The Lyrics of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus is a simple but powerful hymn that consists of a chorus followed by three verses. The lyrics of the chorus are as follows:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
The first verse of the song encourages us to turn our eyes upon Jesus and find hope and rest in Him:
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
The second verse reminds us of the victory that we have in Christ and encourages us to follow Him:
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O'er us sin no more hath dominion -
For more than conquerors we are!
The final verse of the song reminds us of the power of God's Word and the promise of salvation that is available to all who believe:
His Word shall not fail you - He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
The Meaning of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
The lyrics of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus are a powerful reminder to keep our focus on Christ amidst the challenges and struggles of life. The hymn speaks of the hope and peace that can be found by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
The first verse of the song speaks directly to those who are feeling weary and troubled, offering them the hope of finding rest and peace in Christ. The second verse reminds us that we are more than conquerors in Christ, and that sin has no power over us. The final verse encourages us to believe in the promises of God's Word and to share the message of salvation with those around us.
In all three verses, the overarching message is clear: by turning our eyes upon Jesus and fixing our gaze on Him, we can find the strength, hope, and peace that we need to face whatever challenges come our way.
Bible Verses that Inspired the Lyrics of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
The lyrics of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus are deeply rooted in Scripture, drawing inspiration from several key Bible verses. Here are a few of the verses that helped to inspire the hymn:
Hebrews 12:2 - "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Romans 8:37 - "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Practical Application of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
As Christians, we can all benefit from the message of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. The hymn reminds us of the importance of keeping our focus on Christ and finding our hope and peace in Him. Here are a few practical applications of the song to our lives as Christians:
1. Keep your focus on Christ. In a world that is full of distractions and challenges, it can be easy to lose sight of what really matters. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus reminds us of the importance of fixing our gaze on Christ and finding our hope and peace in Him. By keeping our focus on Christ, we can find the strength and courage that we need to face whatever challenges come our way.
2. Find rest in Christ. The first verse of the song speaks directly to those who are feeling weary and troubled, offering them the hope of finding rest and peace in Christ. As Christians, we can find comfort in the knowledge that we can bring our burdens to Christ and find rest in Him.
3. Share the message of salvation with others. The final verse of the song encourages us to go out into the world and share the message of salvation with those around us. As Christians, we have been given the gift of salvation through Christ, and we have a responsibility to share that gift with others.
In conclusion, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus is a timeless hymn that speaks to the hearts of Christians around the world. The song's message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written, reminding us to keep our focus on Christ amidst the challenges and struggles of life. May we all be inspired by the words of this hymn and find our hope, peace, and rest in Christ.
