The title of a hymn, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" is a memorable one.    The writer says that it is our faith that looks up.  We pray to the One who ransomed our soul, as the last verse of the song says.

Ray Palmer, the writer, opens the hymn with the words:

My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior Divine.

Ray Palmer wrote the hymn in 1830, and said he wrote it with much feeling.  He carried it around with him for some time, until one day he met Dr. Lowell Mason in Boston.  Dr. Mason was a well-known musician, and he asked if Mr. Palmer had a hymn to contribute to his new book.  Ray gave him this hymn, and Dr. Mason wrote the tune, "Olivet," for it.

Each verse tells what Dr. Palmer prayed, as he look to His Savior, Jesus.

Now hear me while I pray; Take all my guilt away;

Oh, let me from this day be wholly, Thine.

May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire

As Thou hast died for me, oh, may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life' dark maze I tread and griefs around me spread

Be Thou my Guide.  Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow's tears away,

Nor let me every stray from Thee alone.

When ends life's transient dream, when death's cold, sullen stream

Shall o'er me roll.  Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove,

Oh, bear me save above, a ransom soul.

Ira Sankey, in his book, "My Life and Sacred Songs," tells a story that Dr. Palmer shared of how the hymn was used.  During the Civil War, 6 or 8 young Christian soldiers faced a deadly battle the next day.  They prayed together, and one suggested that they draw up a paper which would show their father, mother, sister, or brother in what spirit they laid down their lives if they should fall.  They decided the paper would be a copy of this hymn, and each soldier signed his name to it.  One soldier who survived the battle told the story.