The beautiful hymn was penned by Helen Lemmel in 1918. She was fifty-four. At the time she was visiting a friend who showed her a gospel tract by Lillias Trotter, a missionary to North Africa. The tract was called “Focused.” On it were written the following words: “So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire strange new dimness.” From that simple sentence Helen, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, went on to write “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”
Psalms 34:5 says that, “Those who look to him are radiant.” A beautiful promise from a beautiful Savior.
“When we look to the world, we are perplexed, and at a loss. But on looking to Christ depends our whole salvation, and all things needful thereunto do so also. This poor man, whom no man looked upon with any respect, or looked after with any concern, was yet welcome to the throne of grace; the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” (Matthew Henry)
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O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.