My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Ray Palmer 1830 Tune: Olivet (6.6.4.6.6.6.4)

A young man's quiet prayer for cleansing, strength, and a guided life.

Quick Answer

A young man's quiet prayer for cleansing, strength, and a guided life. Written by Ray Palmer (1830), set to the tune "Olivet" by Lowell Mason.

Suggested pairing scripture

Hebrews 12:2

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Read Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "My Faith Looks Up to Thee." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.

Read in context

When to sing this

Sing at evangelistic gatherings, baptisms, and testimony services where God's saving grace is the theme.

Lyrics

Stanza 1

My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Saviour divine! Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, O let me from this day Be wholly Thine!

Stanza 2

May Thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire! As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee Pure, warm, and changeless be, A living fire!

Stanza 3

While life's dark maze I tread, And griefs around me spread, Be Thou my guide; Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow's tears away, Nor let me ever stray From Thee aside.

Stanza 4

When ends life's transient dream, When death's cold, sullen stream Shall o'er me roll, Blest Saviour, then, in love, Fear and distrust remove; O bear me safe above, A ransomed soul!

History & Background

Ray Palmer wrote the words at age 22 in 1830, jotting them privately in a small notebook with no thought of publication. Two years later he met Lowell Mason on a Boston street; Mason asked for a hymn, Palmer copied it out, and Mason returned the next day saying, 'You may live many years and do many good things, but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of My Faith Looks Up to Thee.'

Scripture Behind the Hymn

Hebrews 12:2

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Read in context