This hymn was the first one written by Ray Palmer (1808-1887; see SDAH 242), in the year 1830. It was for his personal benefit, as an expression of his own faith. He said of the hymn, “I gave form to what I felt by writing, with little effort, the stanzas. I recollect I wrote them with very tender emotion and ended the last line with tears.” The original had four stanzas. In brief, the petition in the four stanzas ate: hear me, strengthen me, guide me save me. 

Palmer carried the poem about with him in his pocketbook for some time. When asked by Lowell Mason (1792-1872; see Biographies), if he had anything to contribute to a new compilation, Palmer produced the four stanzas of this hymn. Mason soon composed the tune OLIVET, which has been associated with the words ever since. In 1831 Mason published the complete hymn in Spiritual Songs for Social Worship, compiled by himself and Thomas Hastings (see SDAH 300). Time has proved true Mason’s prediction that Palmer might live long and do many good things but would best be remembered as the author of “My Faith Looks Up to Thee.”