The phrase “God’s eye is on the sparrow” is a reference to a religious concept that means God cares for and watches over even the smallest of His creations. The expression comes from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. It evokes the idea that if God provides for tiny birds like sparrows, He will surely provide for human beings, who are much more valuable than sparrows in God’s eyes.
Where did the phrase “God’s eye is on the sparrow” come from?
The phrase originates from the words of Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew:
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31, NIV)
In this teaching, Jesus used the example of sparrows being sold in the marketplace for a very low price. In that era, sparrows were common birds that were essentially worthless in monetary terms. Yet Jesus pointed out that even sparrows are closely watched over and cared for by God. If He cares about lowly sparrows, Jesus assured His listeners, God surely cares even more about human beings, who are incredibly precious to Him.
What does the phrase mean?
When people say “God’s eye is on the sparrow,” they are expressing the idea that God cares about and protects even the most insignificant of His creations. Human beings can take comfort and confidence in the fact that God values them highly and watches over them. The phrase is an expression of God’s love and care for all He has made.
Some key points the expression conveys:
- God is aware of everything that happens in His creation, even the minute details.
- No living thing is too small or insignificant for God’s attention and care.
- Human beings, created in God’s image, are far more valuable to Him than sparrows or any other part of creation.
- God provides for the needs of all His creatures.
- People can trust God and rely on Him because He cares about them deeply.
In summary, “God’s eye is on the sparrow” is a vivid way of affirming God’s intimate knowledge of, care for, and governance over all His creation, down to the smallest detail. It assures us of God’s compassionate love and provision for our lives.
What Bible verses relate to the phrase?
In addition to Matthew 10:29-31, there are other passages in the Bible that convey the same idea about God’s care and awareness of all He has made:
- “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.” (Luke 12:6, NIV)
- “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” (Matthew 6:26, NIV)
- “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” (A line from the hymn His Eye is on the Sparrow by Civilla D. Martin)
- “You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.” (Psalm 36:6, NLT)
- “Not one [sparrow] falls to the ground without your Father’s consent.” (Matthew 10:29, Weymouth New Testament)
These verses help reinforce the concept that God pays attention to and nourishes the birds He created, therefore we can be fully convinced He will do even more for human beings made in His image.
How has the phrase been used in hymns?
The most famous hymn containing this expression is titled His Eye is on the Sparrow. The lyrics were written in 1905 by songwriter Civilla D. Martin. Inspired by the passage in Matthew, she wrote the following chorus:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
These lyrics portray the confidence and hope that God’s care for even the smallest bird can give to people. Since God never loses track of a single sparrow, we can be fully assured He watches over our lives at all times as well.
Another gospel hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow, written in 1950 by songwriter Gabriel Eugene Johnson, contains the refrain:
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free.
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Again, the lyrics reinforce the idea of taking joy and comfort in God’s loving providence, based on Jesus’ teaching about God’s care for the sparrows.
How has the phrase been used in literature?
The expression “God’s eye is on the sparrow” appears in various literary works, both religious and secular. Here are some examples:
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker – A character says “I thinks it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it. (…) He gave it to me, and then I walked off like it don’t mean a thing. God’s eye is on the sparrow.”
- A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons – The mother tries to comfort her daughter by saying “God’s eye is on the sparrow, Emma.”
- Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs – When the main character is nervous about his safety, his grandfather says “God’s eye is on the sparrow, boy.”
- A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines – A character notes “I know God watches over sparrows and I know He is watching over me.”
The references in these books once again highlight the concept of taking heart that the God who cares for small birds also cares for people in their difficult circumstances.
How has the phrase been used in music?
Besides the aforementioned hymns, the expression “God’s eye is on the sparrow” has been referenced in various popular songs over the years. Here are a few examples:
- “Why Should I Worry” by Bobby McFerrin – Includes the lyric “God’s eye is on the sparrow and I know He’s watching me.”
- “No Need to Worry” by The Neville Brothers – Contains the line “God’s eye is on the sparrow, and He’s watching you and me.”
- “Eye on the Sparrow” by Ethel Waters – The lyrics are “His eye is on the sparrow and know He’s watching me.”
- “Sparrow” by Angelo Debarre & Stephane Wrembel – Mentions “God’s eye is on the sparrow, though I am only one.”
Songwriters have drawn inspiration from the biblical expression to offer encouragement and hope to listeners facing difficult times.
What is the significance of the sparrow in the Bible?
Sparrows hold a special significance in the Bible that highlights God’s care and concern for all His creation, even common birds of little monetary value.
Some key points about sparrows in Scripture:
- Sparrows were among the most inexpensive animals sold for sacrifices in ancient Israel (Leviticus 12:8).
- Two sparrows could be purchased for a copper coin (Matthew 10:29, Luke 12:6).
- Sparrows represented insignificance and poverty (Psalm 84:3).
- Despite their humble status, God watches over sparrows and meets their needs (Psalm 104:27-28).
- If God cares for sparrows, He certainly cares more for people (Luke 12:6-7).
Jesus used the sparrow, considered worthless by most, to demonstrate God’s attentiveness to and sovereignty over all He has created. This should give us deep confidence in God’s love and care for our lives.
How can the phrase inspire and encourage people?
Reflecting on the profound meaning of “God’s eye is on the sparrow” can provide great inspiration, hope, and encouragement in several ways:
- It reminds us of God’s intimate knowledge of everything happening in His creation down to minute details.
- It conveys God’s deep compassion and active involvement in sustaining even insignificant creatures.
- It highlights the value God places on human beings as His uniquely treasured creation.
- It inspires awe at the power of God who governs all things.
- It brings comfort knowing God cares for us more than we can imagine.
- It encourages us to cast all our cares on Him, trusting His watchful eye (1 Peter 5:7).
- It motivates us to value all people, since all bear God’s image.
Meditating on this meaningful phrase can profoundly encourage and strengthen our faith during difficult times. It highlights God’s character – His loving care for His creation, His attentiveness to details, and His almighty power and rule over all things.
How is the phrase relevant today?
In our busy modern society, many people struggle with feeling insignificant, unknown, and uncared for. The profound truth behind “God’s eye is on the sparrow” offers great relevance and hope today.
Some ways this phrase remains pertinent now:
- It assures people struggling with loneliness that God sees and knows them intimately.
- It reminds us that human worth is not determined by earthly measures of fame, status or wealth.
- It emphasizes that those whom society ignores or oppresses still bear God’s image and are precious to Him.
- It challenges our culture’s obsessions with self, calling us to value all people.
- It offers hope to those facing illness, grief or despair by reminding them of God’s care.
- It inspires us to care for creation, as God Himself cares so tenderly for it.
- It calls us to trust God in all circumstances, knowing He oversees even the smallest details.
No matter what people face, meditating on God’s watchful eye over sparrows can provide comfort, courage and hope today just as powerfully as ever.
Conclusion
The seemingly simple phrase “God’s eye is on the sparrow” contains profound depths of meaning. Originating from Jesus’ words in Scripture, it conveys God’s intimate awareness and care for all His creation. This powerful truth motivated many hymn and song writers over the years, providing encouragement through difficult times. The sparrow’s symbolic meaning as a tiny, common bird highlights God’s attentiveness to details and the value He places on all lives. Reflecting on this phrase brings comfort, inspiration and hope, reminding us that the divine eye which watches each inconsequential sparrow is also ever upon us.
