Michelle Williams - If We Had Your Eyes Lyrics

If We Had Your Eyes

If We Had Your Eyes Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Michelle Williams' song "If We Had Your Eyes," released with its video on September 3, 2013, delves into the powerful theme of perception, judgment, and the transformative impact of viewing the world through a divine lens. The first verse immediately grounds this concept in a relatable scenario: an encounter at a traffic light where the narrator initially judges a person based on appearance ("Can you spare some change," dug through the ashtray, deemed it a "good deed today"). This initial, superficial assessment is quickly challenged when the person speaks, revealing a deeper connection ("heard that voice before knew that it was Yours") and a message of profound, unconditional love ("He said you loved me more than I even believed"). This opening highlights the song's core argument: human judgment, based on limited sight, often misses the true essence and worth of individuals, which is fully known only through God's perspective.

The second verse extends this theme to another common human experience: the hidden struggles beneath a seemingly perfect exterior. The narrator describes a friend perceived as having a "perfect day," "so beautiful," with "nothing's ever wrong in her life." This perceived reality is shattered upon discovering self-inflicted scars, revealing deep pain concealed from others. The friend's silence underscores the difficulty many face in revealing their suffering, while the narrator's simple, faith-based response ("all I said to her is that... That You love her more... Than she could ever believe") points again to the healing power of recognizing divine love. Both verses serve as poignant examples illustrating the bridge's assertion: "People judge from what they see / But Lord you see the whole world."

The chorus serves as the central plea and resolution of the song. The repeated lines, "If we had Your eyes / We'd see things right / If we could just see from Your point of view / Then most things won't be as they seem," encapsulate the song's essential message. It proposes that adopting God's perspective is the key to overcoming flawed human judgment, recognizing the true state of affairs, and seeing beyond superficial appearances to the heart and inherent value of each person. The bridge further clarifies this transformative power, suggesting that gaining this clarity ("Show me, teach me, How to see clearly, / Live in the spirit, and truth") enables individuals to extend the same unconditional love that they receive from a divine source.

Ultimately, "If We Had Your Eyes" is an inspirational anthem urging listeners to transcend judgmental tendencies rooted in limited human sight. It reflects a fundamental faith-based principle: true understanding and compassion stem from viewing individuals and situations through a lens of divine love and empathy. The song draws upon the idea that God's perspective is all-encompassing, seeing beyond external circumstances, flaws, or perceived perfection to the inherent worth and struggles of every person. By advocating for a shift in vision – from seeing with human eyes to seeing with divine eyes – the song encourages a more loving, understanding, and less judgmental interaction with the world, aligning with scriptural calls for compassion and judging not by appearance.