My faith looks up to Thee

At the moment when my spiritual strength was low and I was some sort of struggling to measure up and transient to that glorious height I really needed to be. I came across this hymn as the title came into my consciousness. l found it as the right tonic in that faithful morning. I have done this hymn over and over from elementary school but the experience that morning was different, refreshing, inspiring and much awakening to the meaning and l am back on my spiritual track faithfully journeying on.

A lonely 22 year old school teacher who had experienced a discouraging year of illness and other difficulties lifted up his eyes one evening in desperation to God and was led to write the thoughtful words of this beloved hymn, which is one of our finest hymns on the subject of personal faith.

When just 13 years of age, Palmer was forced to drop out of school and take a job as a clerk in a dry-goods store in Boston. He began attending historic Park Street Congregational Church and there professed Christ as his Savior. Soon he felt the call of God to become a minister of the gospel. He resumed his education at Andover Academy and later was graduated from Yale University.

While at Yale, Ray Palmer took a part-time teaching position in a private girls' school in New York City. It was a difficult job that eventually affected his health and brought him to a state of depression.

One night while reading a German poem picturing a needy sinner kneeling before the cross, Ray Palmer was so moved that he translated the lines into English. Immediately his mind was filled with the thoughts of "My Faith Looks Up to Thee".

"The Words for these stanzas were born out of my own soul with very little effort. I recall that I wrote the verses with tender emotion. There was not the slightest thought of writing for another eye, least of all writing a hymn for Christian worship. It is well remembered that while writing the last line, 'Oh, bear me safe above, a ransomed soul,' the thought of the whole work of redemption and salvation was involved in those words, suggesting the theme of eternal praises, and this brought me to a degree of emotion that caused abundant tears."

Palmer copied his verses into a small notebook and thought no more of them except to read them occasionally for his own devotions. Two years later, while walking down a busy street in Boston, he chanced to meet his friend, Dr. Lowell Mason, who was well-known in 19th century musical circles. Mason was compiling a new hymnal and asked if by any chance Palmer might have some lines that would lend themselves to a new hymn.

"I showed him the verses in my little notebook. We stepped into a store together, and a copy of the poem was made and given to him. Without much notice, Mason put it into his pocket. Several days later, however, when we met again in the street, he scarcely waited to greet me:"

"Mr. Palmer, 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.'"

Dr. Lowell Mason's prediction about Palmer and his hymn certainly came true. Ray Palmer did accomplish much for God until his death at the age of 79. He became recognized as an outstanding evangelical minister and pastored 2 large Congregational churches in the east for 39 years.

Palmer was the author of several popular volumes of religious verse and devotional essays. He also wrote 37 other fine hymns, for which he would never accept payment.

Yet Dr. Palmer is best remembered today for his very first hymn text, a statement of personal faith in Christ written when he was just 22 yeas of age. - '52 Hymn Stories Dramatized' by Kenneth W. Osbeck

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The original title of this hymn was 'Self Consecration'
The final stanza originally says:
4 When ends life's transient dream,
when death’s cold, sullen stream
shall o'er me roll,
blest Savior, then in love,
fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above,
a ransomed soul.

This song inspired me when I wrote my professional mbbs exam and I failed a course out of three. I have to re-sit for it. With my little knowledge I failed. Because of fear and griefs around me, I meditate on this song and I look forward to pass my re-sit exam. God help, I pass successfully. Praise God. My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary.

The right hymn for REVIVAL.

Especially if already backslidden.

This hymn is medicinal. Today at the Organizational prayers I sang and cried and cried. I was very low amidst challenges and office politics. I googled, found my answer esp in v.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

When griefs spread, we can only trust God to guide us, he can turn darkness into day, may we always abide in him. That is my prayer.

Thanks for this hymn. I pray God help me and remould me for His purpose for my life.

Seeking fellowship with the Lord this morning, I googled this hymn to sing along. And what is here? A fellowship with you who have done the same thing. Praying for each of you by name, and delighting in His ever Presence.

With my soul so weary and straying far from God, I remembered this song that was usually sung on assembly ground while I was in secondary school in the 90s. Stanza 2 of the song particularly infused strength to my fainting heart. Thank You Jesus.

´"My faith looks up to Thee." Indeed, after an embarrassing departmental meeting today, I was upset with my staff hence, I was furious and annoyed.

Then, this hymn came to my mind. It automatically turned my temper to calmness. I was even making fun of the situation.

I am blessed.

Just realised today morning that after praying and thanking God for various victories for me and family, adversities notwithstanding, this song came to mind. So I googled and got it and sang it through. Wordings very enriching and inspiring. Hail the author.

Thank God for His Grace.