Thursday Hymn Reflection: “His Eye is On the Sparrow”

[Each Thursday, we reflect on a  hymn suggested by our readers. To add your favorites to our list, leave a comment with up to 3 favorites. It is hard to believe, but this is the 40th post in this series! Keep your suggestions coming to favorites, old or new.]

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Written in 1905, “His Eye is On the Sparrow” is based upon two statements from the lips of our Lord. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus stated, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Then, in Matthew 10:29-31, He stated,

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

“His Eye is On the Sparrow” is a song that represents trust in God, and is a statement of how that should lead us to greater depths of service and worship. The lyricist, Civilla Martin, wrote these words describing the motivation for penning the hymn:

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. [via Wikipedia]

Most people enjoy the contrast of the music in the verses and the chorus. The verses are basically slower and sung slightly lower. The words are filled with the concept of trust. The chorus, then, bursts forth with the famous words, “I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free.” What a glorious reaction to trust!

My favorite line in the song comes in the 3rd verse. After singing about how troubles will come and hope can even die within us, we then sing these simple words: “I draw the closer to Him;; from care He sets me free.” There is nothing difficult about those words, but I have always found them very meaningful.

The song is most associated with African-American churches, but has been widely sung for decades in all congregations. Since it is deeply based upon both Scripture for its text and upon great Spiritual truths, it is a song that will continue to stand for some time.

Here are the lyrics for this great hymn:

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;
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;
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;
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.

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I want to share tw0 versions of this song with you in the videos.

1. Historically speaking, the song is probably most often associated with Ethel Waters. This actress and singer sang the song in the movie “The Member of the Wedding.” She also performed the song at times at Billy Graham crusades. Here is the scene from the 1952 movie that connected Waters with the song:

2. For a new generation, the song was brought into another movie and became famous again. Sister Act 2 featured superstar Lauryn Hill singing a duet of the song with Tanya Blount. For many, the simple song was the highlight of the film. Here is the album version of the song: