Open My Eyes That I May See - Clara H. Scott

 

 

The exact date of the writing of "Open My Eyes That I May See" is unknown, but it first appeared in “Best Hymns No. 2,” published in 1895 by the Evangelical Publishing Company of Chicago. Clara H. Scott wrote both the words and music. The tune has sometimes been erroneously attributed to others, but most scholars agree that Clara wrote it. The hymn has appeared in over one hundred twenty hymnals in the past century.

 

Mrs. Scott was born in Illinois in 1841, and she became a music teacher and composed much instrumental and vocal music. She taught music at a small rural high school in Iowa when she was quite young. Clara attended the first Chicago Musical Institute, conducted by Chauncey Cady and William Bradbury, pioneers in writing and publishing gospel music. She then taught music at the Ladies' Seminary in Iowa. During that time, she married Henry Clay Scott. In 1882, she was the first woman to publish a collection of sacred anthems, “The Royal Anthem Book.”

 

Clara Scott’s life ended tragically in 1897 when she was thrown from a buggy with a runaway horse and was killed instantly. Musicians, composers, teachers, professors, publishers, and many friends attended her funeral, including friends who sang some of her own compositions. Her obituary reported her death and details of the accident, but very little was mentioned about her accomplishments.   Women of that day weren’t credited much for their musical success.

 

In this hymn, the believer asks God to make one attentive and open to God’s truth and His will. Each stanza's refrain asks God to respond to the prayer for guidance. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalm 119: 17-18).

 

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