"The Heavenly Vision", also known as "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus" (the first line of its chorus), is a

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' d ...

written by Helen Howarth Lemmel. Lemmel was physically blind when she wrote this hymn. It was inspired by a tract entitled
Focused
', written by the missionary Isabella Lilias Trotter. The chorus is widely known, and has become a standard reprinted in many hymnals. Focussed tract

Lemmel first published the hymn in England as a pamphlet in 1918, and then included it in a 1922 collection called ''Glad Songs''. It was included in a 1924 American collection entitled ''Gospel Truth in Song'' and was widely reprinted in other collections.

Versions

In 1989, Christian singer-songwriter

Russ Taff Russell Taff (born November 11, 1953) is an American gospel singer and songwriter who grew up in Farmersville, California. He has sung a variety of musical styles throughout his career including: pop rock, traditional Southern gospel, contempo ...

sang it as part of a medley with " Near the Cross" and "

My Jesus I Love Thee My Jesus I Love Thee appeared twice in 1862, first in The Christian Pioneer' (February, six verses) edited by Joseph Foulkes Winks, then in October in The Primitive Methodist Magazine' edited bWilliam Antliff- who published the same version ...

" on the various artists album '' Our Hymns''. In 1992 the Christian band

Newsboys Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band that has existed in various permutations since its founding in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tenness ...

included the song (combined with "Where You Belong") on their album ''

Not Ashamed ''Not Ashamed'' is the fourth studio album by Australian CCM band Newsboys, released in 1992. The album was the Newsboys' first commercially successful album, with "I'm Not Ashamed" becoming a hit on Christian radio. With this album, producer ...

'' and released a video of the song. In 1999, Hillsong recorded the song and a video live in their album ''The Secret Place''.

Michael W. Smith Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian music, contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when "Place in This Worl ...

features the song on his 2001 live worship album ''

Worship Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity or God. For many, worship is not about an emotion, it is more about a recognition of a God. An act of worship may be performed individually, in an informal or formal group, ...

''. Country artist

Alan Jackson Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American country music singer-songwriter. He is known for performing a style widely regarded as "neotraditional country", as well as writing many of his own songs. Jackson has recorded 21 studi ...

's recording of this song for his father-in-law's funeral in 2005 became the inspiration for his 2006 gospel album '' Precious Memories''.John Gerome
"Gift of gospel: Alan Jackson's family Christmas present turns into new CD"

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...

in ''

The Columbian ''The Columbian'' is a daily newspaper serving the Vancouver, Washington, and Clark County, Washington area. It is owned by the Campbell family and is the newspaper of record for Vancouver and Washougal. History Tom Carolan first published t ...

'', March 5, 2006. In 2018, the Christian singer

Lauren Daigle Lauren Ashley Daigle ( ; born September 9, 1991) is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. After being signed to the label Centricity Music, she released her debut album, ''How Can It Be (album), How Can It Be,'' in 2015 ...

recorded "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus", on her

Look Up Child ''Look Up Child'' is the third studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter Lauren Daigle. It was released on September 7, 2018, through Centricity Music. The album received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Chr ...

album. In 2019, the Christian group

Passion Passion, the Passion or the Passions may refer to: Emotion * Passion (emotion), a very strong feeling about a person or thing * Passions (philosophy), emotional states as used in philosophical discussions * Stoic passions, various forms of emotio ...

released "Fade Away" on their album "Follow You Anywhere (Live)", which uses the chorus from this song as an outro. Also in 2019, Sovereign Grace Music released the modern hymn "Turn Your Eyes" based on Helen Lemmel's chorus on their album The Glorious Christ (Live).

References

English Christian hymns British poems Year of song missing 20th-century hymns 1922 songs {{christian-song-stub