Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Jonathan Anderson • September 29, 2025

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” is a hymn that quiets the noise of life and brings your focus back to what truly matters. In a world full of distractions, disappointments, and uncertainty, this hymn gently reminds us to look to Jesus — and as we do, the troubles of life grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

The Story Behind the Hymn

This hymn was written by Helen H. Lemmel in 1918, inspired by a gospel tract titled “Focused.” The tract included a line that struck her deeply: “So then, turn your eyes upon Him. Look full into His face, and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness.” That simple thought stayed with her until she wrote the lyrics and music that would become this beloved hymn.


Helen had lost her eyesight later in life, and yet she still wrote more than 500 hymns and poems — many from a place of quiet trust and deep spiritual clarity. This song in particular has comforted generations, especially those going through hardship or loss.


What Makes It Powerful

What makes this hymn so powerful is its simplicity and invitation. It doesn’t offer solutions to every problem — it simply calls us to look at Jesus, and in doing so, find peace, clarity, and perspective.

A perfect verse to match the heart of this hymn is Hebrews 12:2 (NIV):


Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross…

This hymn echoes that call — to stop, lift our eyes, and behold the One who never fails.


My Violin Cover

When I arranged “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” for violin, I kept it gentle and slow, letting each note rest and breathe. There’s a quiet power in this melody, and I didn’t want to rush it. I wanted the music to feel like an invitation — calm, steady, and full of grace.


With Violin Hymns, I always aim to carry the message of the lyrics even without words. And here, that message is simple: Look to Jesus. He is enough.


Listen and Reflect

The video is below. As you listen, let the worries of today fade into the background. Let the peace of Christ take center stage in your heart. Turn your eyes upon Jesus — look full in His wonderful face.

Lyrics


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.


Thro' death into life everlasting,

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O’er us sin no more hath dominion--

For more than conqu’rors we are!


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!

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