His Eye is on the Sparrow

 

 


My grandmother was an ardent birdwatcher – she could identify many birds by their colorings and their calls. Many of the little birds which flocked to her feeders, like sparrows and swallows and finches, weren’t rare or fancy; in fact, they were plentiful and sort of plain. But she delighted in all of them and knew that each one of those plain little birds was just as important in God’s sight as the gorgeous bright red cardinal, the strong-necked and noisy woodpecker, the plump and gaudy grosbeak.

Civilla Martin (1866-1948) was in Christian ministry with her husband William; they wrote many songs together. They met an older couple while traveling in Elmira, NY; the wife was bedridden, and the husband used a wheelchair to get back and forth to his business. The Martins were struck by the couple’s positive outlook on life and asked them how they could be so cheerful. The woman replied that she had no reason to worry - as God watches over the sparrow, He surely cares for her. Mrs. Martin was so struck by this response; she was inspired to write the words we know as His Wye Is on the Sparrow.

 The poem is based on Matthew 10: 29-31:  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” 

Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) was born into poverty and encountered much suffering and prejudice; it seems especially poignant that it was her rich contralto voice which immortalized the words found on page 661 of our purple Glory to God hymnals:

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…

Refrain: 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.

“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… Refrain

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
when song gives 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… Refrain

When you are feeling discouraged, and your song gives place to sighing – you can give your discouragement to Jesus.  He is our portion and is able to free us from cares and worry.

Joy Christian

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 9, 2021 at 4:40 AM

    Just beautiful—thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beth ChristianMarch 9, 2021 at 4:43 AM

    Thank you Joy—I also delight in the birds at our feeder and wonder how God could know and care for each one when they look so identical, His knowledge and love is so much greater than we can imagine.

    ReplyDelete

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