Turn Your Eyes Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Turn Your Eyes is a powerful worship song by Sovereign Grace Music that encourages believers to turn their eyes towards Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith. The song has a timeless quality that has made it a favorite among Christians worldwide. The lyrics are based on Hebrews 12:2, which says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
The song was written by Helen Howarth Lemmel, an American evangelist, and songwriter who lived from 1863 to 1961. She was born in England but moved to America with her family when she was 12 years old. Lemmel was a gifted musician and wrote over 500 hymns and gospel songs during her lifetime. Turn Your Eyes was one of her most popular compositions, and it has been recorded by various artists over the years.
The inspiration behind the song is unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the early 1900s. At the time, Lemmel was living in Seattle, Washington, and was involved in ministry work. The song's message of looking to Jesus for strength and guidance resonated with many believers, especially during challenging times.
The lyrics of Turn Your Eyes are simple yet profound. They call believers to turn their attention away from the distractions of this world and focus on Jesus, who is the source of their hope and salvation. The first verse says, "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 second verse reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for our sins and the debt that He paid on our behalf.
The chorus of the song is a declaration of worship and adoration to Jesus. It says, "Jesus, to You we lift our eyes, Jesus, our glory and our prize, we adore You, behold You, our Savior ever true, oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You." The third and fourth verses of the song speak of the hope we have in Christ and the promise of His return to gather His people.
The message of Turn Your Eyes is rooted in the Bible, and the song's lyrics are full of references to Scripture. The first verse is based on 2 Corinthians 4:18, which says, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." The second verse references Isaiah 53:5, which prophesies about the suffering and death of the Messiah. The chorus echoes Psalm 25:15, which says, "My eyes are always on the Lord, for He will free my feet from the trap."
The third verse of the song speaks of the hope we have in Christ's resurrection and the promise of eternal life. It references 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, which says, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." The fourth verse speaks of Christ's second coming and the promise of His reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It references Revelation 19:16, which says, "On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords."
The practical application of Turn Your Eyes is that believers should keep their focus on Jesus, no matter what challenges or distractions they face in life. The song reminds us that Jesus is the source of our strength and the only one who can give us the hope we need to keep moving forward. When we turn our eyes to Him, the worries and cares of this world will grow dim, and we will be filled with the peace and joy that only He can give.
In conclusion, Turn Your Eyes is a beautiful worship song that has inspired believers for over a century. Its message of looking to Jesus for strength and guidance is as relevant today as it was when it was written. The song's lyrics are full of biblical references that speak of Christ's sacrifice, resurrection, and second coming. As believers, we should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and trust Him to guide us through the challenges of life. When we do, we will experience the peace and joy that come from knowing Him.
