My Faith Looks Up to Thee

My faith looks up to Thee
Thou Lamb of Calvary Savior divine
Now hear me while I pray take all my guilt away
O let me from this day be wholly Thine

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

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 ends life's passing dream
When death's cold threatening stream shall o'er me roll
Blest Savior then in love fear and distrust remove
O lift me safe above a ransomed soul

Ray Palmer
Lowell Mason

My Faith Looks Up to Thee: A Hymn of Surrender and Trust

In “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” Ray Palmer pens a heartfelt prayer that beautifully captures the essence of the Christian journey. As a young man, Palmer experienced a profound spiritual awakening that forever altered the course of his life. This transformative encounter with the divine Redeemer is palpable in every line of this beloved hymn.

The opening stanza sets the tone for the entire work, as Palmer declares his unwavering faith in the “Lamb of Calvary,” the Savior who willingly sacrificed Himself for the redemption of humanity. In a world filled with uncertainty and doubt, Palmer’s words remind us that true peace and security can only be found in surrendering our lives to Christ.

As the hymn progresses, Palmer acknowledges the frailty of the human condition, admitting his own weakness and need for divine intervention. He pleads with the Savior to “take all my guilt away” and to make him “wholly Thine.” This complete submission to God’s will is a recurring theme throughout the hymn, reflecting Palmer’s deep understanding of the transformative power of grace.

In the face of life’s trials and sorrows, Palmer clings to the unwavering love and guidance of his Savior. He recognizes that the path of faith is not always easy, likening it to a “dark maze” filled with griefs and challenges. Yet, even in the midst of these struggles, he finds comfort in the knowledge that Christ is his constant companion and guide.

Perhaps the most poignant moment in the hymn comes in the final stanza, as Palmer contemplates the end of life’s journey. He acknowledges the inevitability of death, likening it to a “cold threatening stream.” But even in this final hour, he places his trust firmly in the hands of his Savior, confident that through Christ’s love, he will be lifted “safe above” as a “ransomed soul.”

As we sing the words of “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” may we be inspired by Ray Palmer’s example of unwavering faith and complete surrender to the will of God. May we, too, find strength and comfort in the knowledge that no matter what trials we face, our Savior is always by our side, ready to guide us home.