I learned the other day the story behind one of my favorite hymns: His Eye is on the Sparrow.
If you don’t know that song or do and want to enjoy it again, listen here on You Tube, featuring the singing group, Selah.
One approach to prayer I really like is to read aloud , not sing, the words of a hymn and let them seep into my heart and spirit. Here are all of the words to this song to add to your devotions:
Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
This wonderful song is based on Jesus’ words from Matthew 10:29-31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father… So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
A woman named Civilla Martin (1866-1948) wrote the lyrics to this hymn. Here is the story behind it, in her own words:
“Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God.
Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them.
One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.”
I watched a huge flock of birds in haphazard formation, heading south. Mrs. Doolittle’s words flooded my heart. Amazing isn’t it that God is not only watching each of them, He cares for them.
Even more amazing – I know He watches and cares me.
Amazing isn’t it?
Jeanie, I love learning the history behind those powerful songs. Thank you for writing out the words I had forgotten.
It is amazing. Such a beautiful song, thanks for sharing the story behind it.
I have always loved that song and verse because Jesus sees me everywhere I go He is always watching over me.