Open My Eyes, That I May See
- Kenneth W. Osbeck Author of the best seller 101 Hymn Stories
- Published Oct 24, 2001
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your Law. (Psalm 119:18)
The Scriptures teach that our faith in Christ employs all of our God-given senses:
Sight – “Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22).
Hearing – “Hear, and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:3).
Smell – “Thy name is like ointment poured forth” (Song of Solomon 1:3).
Touch – “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be well” (Matthew 9:21).
Taste – “O taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
In order to receive God’s truth properly, then, we must have our entire being alive and alert to His every prompting. In general, most Christians do not deliberately and dramatically disobey God. Instead we simply do not heed Him by being sensitive to His leading in the small details of our lives. How important that we learn the lesson taught by this hymn text that we should have seeing eyes, hearing ears, a verbal communication of the truth, and a loving heart for sharing God’s love. All of this is possible as we are illuminated by the Holy Spirit during times of quiet waiting.
Clara Scott, author and composer of this hymn, taught music in the Ladies’ Seminary at Lyons, Iowa. Mrs. Scott was a prolific composer of vocal and instrumental music, including a book of anthems, The Royal Anthem Book, published in 1882. These words have since been widely used to help believers have a greater awareness of God’s will for their lives and a readiness to obey (James 1:22).
For Today: Psalm 40:8; Proverbs 16:9; Matthew 13:6; Luke 8:18; John 7:17
Ask God to activate your senses for receiving His truth and to make you more sensitive to the needs of those who need to hear “the warm truth” and to experience His love.
The Scriptures teach that our faith in Christ employs all of our God-given senses:
Sight – “Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22).
Hearing – “Hear, and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:3).
Smell – “Thy name is like ointment poured forth” (Song of Solomon 1:3).
Touch – “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be well” (Matthew 9:21).
Taste – “O taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
In order to receive God’s truth properly, then, we must have our entire being alive and alert to His every prompting. In general, most Christians do not deliberately and dramatically disobey God. Instead we simply do not heed Him by being sensitive to His leading in the small details of our lives. How important that we learn the lesson taught by this hymn text that we should have seeing eyes, hearing ears, a verbal communication of the truth, and a loving heart for sharing God’s love. All of this is possible as we are illuminated by the Holy Spirit during times of quiet waiting.
Clara Scott, author and composer of this hymn, taught music in the Ladies’ Seminary at Lyons, Iowa. Mrs. Scott was a prolific composer of vocal and instrumental music, including a book of anthems, The Royal Anthem Book, published in 1882. These words have since been widely used to help believers have a greater awareness of God’s will for their lives and a readiness to obey (James 1:22).
Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, Thy will to see; open my eyes – illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth Thou sendest clear; and while the wave-notes fall on my ear, ev’rything false will disappear. Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, Thy will to see; open my ears – illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere. Open my heart and let me prepare love with Thy children thus to share. Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, Thy will to see; open my heart – illumine me, Spirit divine!
For Today: Psalm 40:8; Proverbs 16:9; Matthew 13:6; Luke 8:18; John 7:17
Ask God to activate your senses for receiving His truth and to make you more sensitive to the needs of those who need to hear “the warm truth” and to experience His love.
