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PEN thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
(Psalm 119:18)
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HE eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power (Ephesians 1:18-19)
This hymn borders on a Gospel song, but retains the attributes of a hymn in its sentiments expressed in biblical truth. The hymn lyrics, as well as the tune, is the composition of Clara H. Scott in 1895. Her hymn is about the spiritual vision to see truth undefiled and often through the haze of mysteries hidden from the common eye of others. We are all born blind to the spiritual reality of God’s constant presence all about us as revealed in the natural Creation, but even more starkly in the unseen realities of His beauty and glory.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Words & Music: Clara H. Scott, 1895
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Refrain
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain
1 Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me. Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine! It is God Almighty who makes the blind to see and the dumb to speak, and He works His wonders through the agency of the Holy Spirit. There are mysteries that are intended for the individual alone for whom it is intended. Our eyes are opened to things that relate to our personal edification alone, and hidden from the eyes of others. But the opening of the eyes of the believer is always consistent with the truth revealed in Holy Scripture. There are mysteries buried in the gold of God’s Word that can only be excavated by diligent study. The water bottle of poor Hagar and her son, Ishmael, was expended in the midst of the Wilderness of Beersheba. Realizing the boy was perishing of thirst, Hagar left him under a shrub and went a bowshot away and wept bitterly. God sees our tears as well as He hears our prayers. God heeded the voice of the young boy more than the cries of Hagar. The Bible tells us that God opened Hagar’s eyes and she saw a well of water there. The water was there all along, but Hagar’s tears blinded her from seeing it. How often do our tears of faithlessness prevent our seeing the blessing God has lain before us?
2 Open my ears that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear, and while the wave notes fall on my ear, ev’rything false will disappear. Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine! Not only must our vision be attuned to the mysteries God reveals, but our ears must also be open to hear the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit. Remember God called to the child prophet Samuel three times ere he knew it to be the voice of the Lord; however, the prophet Eli in the adjoining room heard no voice at all. His ears were blocked by years of unfaithful parentage to his sons. Elijah, too, stood without the cave on the mountain as God passed by. God was neither in the storm nor the fires that appeared around him, but then, a still small voice. That still small voice is the voice of the Holy Spirit that still speaks to us today to reveal untold mysteries to those who seek Him. The more we cultivate an intimate knowledge of God’s Word, the less likely we are to believe the lies of Satan. The bank teller handles the genuine currency of the realm on a daily basis. Because of her familiarity with the genuine, the counterfeit stands out to her like a sore thumb. So will the lies of Satan be exposed to the mind of the Christian Bible scholar.
3 Open my mouth and let me bear gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere. Open my heart and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share. Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my mouth, illumine me, Spirit divine! Seeing and hearing the glorious truth of the Gospel imposes a responsibility upon us carry it forth to others in our speaking and writing, and in our living as well. Of course, the wells of compassion are stored in the heart that is filled with the love of God and of our fellow man. We must proclaim truth for the wicked speak lies constantly. But the lies of the wicked bear no fruit. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. (Psalm 63:9-11) The believer holds fast to the great truth proclaimed by Paul, And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.. (1 Timothy 3:16)
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