Wayne Watson - Before My Very Eyes Lyrics
Lyrics
I haven't seen it all but I've seen enough
Got some memories--Some I pray, one day, I'll forget
You wipe the vision clear and here it comes again
Try to hide your eyes 'cause you realize...it's sin
Chorus
Charmers from the left and right
They fight for my attention
"Hey-Hey, mister...look over here"
I've declared my stand...no
Chorus 2
I will set no evil thing before my eyes
Only good, only truth--Blind to all the lies
I know I could waiver, Lord
Sometimes I regress
So keep the light of holiness
Before my very eyes
Before my very eyes
On the city street--Writing on the walls
From the TV screen screamin' thoughts obscene
... It's everywhere
But I can rise above and not be overcome
Not by this foolishness
I can win this race I run
Chorus
Chorus 2
My ears are, pretty much, involuntary machines.
Within a give environment, my control of what goes in is limited
(unless I vacate the premises...probably not a bad idea sometimes).
But the eyes take in or ignore at my command.
I haven't seen it all... but I've seen enough!
Video
Before My Very Eyes
Meaning & Inspiration
Wayne Watson's "Before My Very Eyes," released in 1988 on the album *The Fine Line*, is a powerful and deeply relevant anthem for anyone striving to live a life centered on faith in a world saturated with temptation. The song grapples with the constant barrage of stimuli that can pull us away from our spiritual convictions, acknowledging the inherent struggle and the proactive choice required to maintain focus on what truly matters. Watson opens by admitting that while he hasn't experienced everything, he has encountered enough to recognize the allure of sin and the need for vigilance. The imagery of a vision being wiped clear and the re-emergence of troubling memories speaks to the persistent nature of temptation and the vulnerability we all face.
The chorus serves as the song's central declaration of intent: "I will set no evil thing before my eyes." This isn't merely a passive wish but a conscious decision, a commitment to actively filter the influences that enter our lives. The repeated plea, "So keep the light of holiness / Before my very eyes," underscores the reliance on divine guidance in this endeavor. Watson understands that this is not a battle easily won, admitting, "I know I could waiver, Lord / Sometimes I regress." This honest acknowledgment of human frailty resonates deeply, as it mirrors the experience of many believers who find themselves stumbling even as they strive for purity. The second chorus emphasizes the commitment to "Only good, only truth—Blind to all the lies," a direct echo of Philippians 4:8, which encourages believers to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
The verses further illustrate the pervasiveness of the challenges Watson describes. The "city street" and the "TV screen" represent common avenues through which destructive messages and imagery can infiltrate our consciousness, leading to "thoughts obscene." This stark depiction highlights how easily the secular world can present a constant stream of worldly distractions that threaten to erode our spiritual foundation. However, Watson doesn't leave us in despair; instead, he offers a message of empowerment: "But I can rise above and not be overcome / Not by this foolishness / I can win this race I run." This perspective aligns with passages like 1 Corinthians 10:13, which assures us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, and will provide a way out. The song's message is a call to intentionality, emphasizing that while our ears may be involuntarily receptive, our eyes have a degree of command over what they observe. This distinction is crucial; it empowers us to actively choose the influences that shape our thoughts and actions. Ultimately, "Before My Very Eyes" is a timeless exhortation to cultivate a disciplined mind and a focused heart, relying on God's grace to keep our gaze fixed on holiness amidst the unavoidable distractions of the world.