Clara Scott

Psalm 119:17-20
Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word. Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I live as an alien in the land; do not hide your commandments from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.

 Open my eyes that I may see

 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

Refrain: Silently now I wait for thee Ready, my God, thy will to see
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

 2.      Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth thou sendest clear;
And while the wavenotes fall on my ear Everything false will disappear

 3.      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

Clara H. Scott (1841 -1897)

            Clara Scott as a music teacher who composed a great deal of instrumental and vocal music, and was best known for the Royal Anthem Book published in 1882. She died in a tragic carriage accident on her way home from a funeral, but her legacy of music remained, used as part of the curriculum of the Women’s seminary near her hometown of Lyons, Iowa. The most famous of her offerings was this, “Open my Eyes that I May See”.  This is still a powerful piece of music, for we are called to respond to God with all of our senses and all our being. 

Prayer:  Open our eyes to see you, our ears to hear you, our mouths to speak of you, our hands to serve you, and our hearts to know you O Lord our God!  Amen.