Comment on a Hymn

'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus'

We've sung this hymn before - some of us many times. Did you notice the assumption that the hymn is based on? Life is hard. The hymn talks about being weary and troubled, the darkness of sin that comes over us, a world that is dying. Life is hard. But that provides a context for the hymn's solution to the problems of this hard life: Jesus and His Gospel. He is a light in the darkness for us and our means of overcoming sin. And what comes out of that, in the last verse, is a call to speak this Gospel to others so that they might gain what we have gained in Jesus.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s a light for a look at the Savior,

and life more abundant and free!

Refrain:

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;

over us sin no more hath dominion -

for more than conqu'rors we are!

[Refrain]

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!

[Refrain]