My Faith Looks Up To Thee

GodTube Staff

My Faith Looks Up To Thee
"My Faith Looks Up to Thee" is an American hymn penned by Ray Palmer in 1830. The melody associated with this hymn is called OLIVET, composed by Lowell Mason. This is one of the most famous hymns from American history, even used as a source of encouragement and serenity by Civil War soldiers. Discover the lyrics and story behind this amazing hymn along with music videos below!

1 My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day
be wholly Thine.

2 May Thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire;
as Thou hast died for me,
O may my love to Thee
pure, warm, and changeless be,
a living fire.

3 While life’s dark maze I tread,
and griefs around me spread,
be Thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from Thee aside.

4 When ends life's transient dream,
when death’s cold, sullen stream
shall o'er me roll,
blest Savior, then in love,
fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above,
a ransomed soul.

Source: Hymns to the Living God #269

Songwriters Ray Palmer Published by Public Domain

The Story Behind My Faith Looks Up To Thee

Ray Palmer, a later doctor of theology, and Lowell Mason, a doctor of music, met in Boston in 1830. Mason inquired to Palmer if he had any lyrics that could be inserted for Spiritual Songs for Social Worship, a compilation that was being prepared by Mason and Thomas Hastings for publication within a couple years. 

Palmer presented Mason his leather book containing his poem, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee," originally in six stanzas. The two men walked into a shop so Mason could obtain a transcript of Palmer’s words. It wasn’t until he arrived home that evening that the forthwith celebrated stanzas were read, and Mason immediately wrote the tune OLIVET, the only melody ever performed with Palmer’s poem. 

Palmer believed his hymn flourished since it “embodied, in appropriate and simple language that which is most central in all true Christian experience—the act of faith in the divine Redeemer—the entrusting of the individual soul to Him entirely and forever.” 

 


Popular Hymn Lyrics with Story and Meaning
Day by Day and With Each Passing Moment
Jesus Loves Me
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Blessed Assurance
Nearer My God to Thee
Abide with Me
His Eye is On the Sparrow
Be Thou My Vision
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Amazing Grace

X

Where would you like to share this content?

Bill & Gloria Gaither - My Faith Looks Up to Thee (Live)