From the album The Night the Promise Came
About This Song
My Eyes Have Seen Salvation sets Simeon's song — the Nunc Dimittis — to music, sung from inside his own story. God had promised the old man he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah (Luke 2:26). This song begins with that promise, follows the Spirit's leading into the temple courts, and arrives at the moment forty days after Bethlehem when Mary and Joseph walk in carrying the child — "in my arms I held the one; God's salvation now had come."
Verse two widens to Anna, the eighty-four-year-old who never left the temple, worshipping night and day — "then I told the waiting ones their Redeemer now had come" (Luke 2:38). And the final chorus does what Simeon's own song did: it changes pronoun. My eyes have seen salvation becomes our eyes have seen salvation — a light for every nation, the glory of Israel, our God Emmanuel. The waiting of the musical's opening song is now, officially, done.
Devotional
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation" (Luke 2:29–30).
Simeon spent his whole life waiting for one moment — and did not miss it when it came, because he lived close enough to the Spirit to be led into the temple on the right day, at the right hour (Luke 2:27). Waiting on God is not idle. Simeon watched, prayed, and stayed where God could find him.
And look at what he called the baby in his arms: not "the one who will bring salvation" but salvation itself. "My eyes have seen your salvation." Salvation is not a system or a self-improvement plan; it is a Person you can meet. Once Simeon had seen Him, death itself lost its sting — "you may now dismiss your servant in peace." A man who has held Christ has nothing left to fear.
Anna adds the final note: she "gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). Seeing salvation always turns into telling. The waiting now is done — pass it on.
Lyrics
[Verse 1 — Simeon] God had promised I would live Till I saw the Son He'd give Then the Spirit led me there To the temple courts in prayer Mary brought the child inside Joseph walking at her side In my arms I held the one God's salvation now had come [Chorus] My eyes have seen salvation A light for every nation The glory of Israel Our God Emmanuel The waiting now is done The promised Christ has come The hope of all creation My eyes have seen salvation [Verse 2 — Anna] All my years I watched and prayed In God's temple I had stayed Day and night I sought His face Waiting for the day of grace When the holy child drew near I gave thanks for God was here Then I told the waiting ones Their Redeemer now had come [Chorus] My eyes have seen salvation A light for every nation The glory of Israel Our God Emmanuel The waiting now is done The promised Christ has come The hope of all creation My eyes have seen salvation [Bridge] Light for those in deepest night Hope has risen clear and bright God has kept His word of old Christ has come, as long foretold [Final Chorus] Our eyes have seen salvation A light for every nation The glory of Israel Our God Emmanuel The waiting now is done The promised Christ has come The hope of all creation Our eyes have seen salvation [Outro] The promised one, God's holy Son Our eyes have seen salvation come
Suggested chord chart
Key: B♭ major · Tempo: ~66 BPM · Time: 4/4 NOTE: This is a suggested arrangement for playing along — not a transcription of the recording. Capo 1 with A shapes, or capo 3 with G shapes. [Verse] B♭ E♭ Gm F B♭ E♭ F B♭ [Chorus] B♭ F Gm E♭ B♭ F E♭ F B♭ [Bridge] Gm E♭ | B♭ F [Outro] E♭ | B♭/D | F | B♭
Credits: Music and lyrics: Sandy Rock · Singing & vocals: Gospel Choir 19 · Producer: Sandy R · Management: Sandy Stoltz
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