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The phrase "his eye is on the sparrow" originates from a gospel hymn and is inspired by biblical passages. It conveys the idea that God's watchful care extends to all creatures, assuring believers that they are also under His protection. Biblical inspiration The hymn draws from passages in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, where Jesus uses sparrows to illustrate God's attention to even the smallest details. Both Matthew 10:29–31 and Luke 12:6–7 speak of sparrows not being forgotten by God and assure listeners that they are worth more than many sparrows, emphasizing God's care. The hymn Written in 1905 with lyrics by Civilla D. Martin and music by Charles H. Gabriel, the hymn was inspired by a friend who found peace in the belief that God watched over her, just as His eye is on the sparrow. The lyrics express finding comfort and freedom in God's presence during difficult times. Popularity The song gained significant popularity through Ethel Waters, who made it her signature song and titled her autobiography after it. Many other artists, including Mahalia Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Lauryn Hill, have since recorded the hymn.