His Eye Is on the Sparrow: A Reminder That God Watches Over You

A Song Born from Suffering and Faith

The song was written a long time ago — 1905, to be exact. That's over 120 years ago. Even so, a great many famous singers have recorded it over the years since. Most recently, it was sung in the movie Sister Act 2, and Whitney Houston also sang it in a film. My favorite version is recorded by Joe Williams.

And the song? Well, the song is called "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."

The Words of Jesus

It's based on the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 10. Jesus is encouraging his friends. He tells them that following him won't be easy. If they stick with him, they will experience trouble. But then he promises:

"For only a penny, you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's consent. As for you, even the hairs on your head have all been numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows."

How the Song Came to Be

Here's how this old gospel song came to be written. A lady called Civilla Martin and her husband were staying in New York, and one day they happened to visit a Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle. Life had been very difficult for the Doolittles. Mr. Doolittle had been confined to a wheelchair because of bad health. His wife had been bedridden for 20 years.

Despite their many serious challenges, Civilla and her husband discovered the Doolittles had a cheerful, optimistic attitude to life. Civilla found this hard to understand. How could they be so positive?

Civilla finally asked Mrs. Doolittle how they could be so joyful when they faced so many difficulties. Mrs. Doolittle replied, "If God has his eye on the little sparrow, then I know he's watching over me."

Civilla Martin could not get those words out of her head, and when she returned home, she wrote them down in a poem. She then sent it to a composer called Charles H. Gabriel, and he composed the tune. That song has brought peace and comfort to people ever since.

The Song Itself

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion,
my constant friend is he.
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

I sing because I'm happy.
I sing because I'm free.
For his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

God Knows and God Cares

Isn't that amazing? God knows everything that we go through. Nothing happens to us that he doesn't know about. When we feel lonely and totally abandoned, when it seems that our prayers are unanswered, when everything seems hopeless — God knows and God cares.

So, if you're feeling lonely, neglected, or worried about something in the week ahead, if you or someone you care about is struggling with illness, this song might just encourage you as it reminds you of the way your heavenly Father cares for you.

May God bless you.