Over the years, singer-songwriter Adassa has lent her talents to many impactful projects, such as Disney’s hit movie Encanto and her newest EP about being a mother, artist, and faithful Latter-day Saint. Most recently, she performed a soaring rendition of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” in a music video with Brigham Young University’s premier female a capella ensemble, Noteworthy.
The a capella version of the hymn was arranged by Jonathan Meyers and features Addi Chandler, Aubrie Dyer, Emma King, Savannah Packer, Kassie Sanders, Randi Sanofsky, and Halle Sundberg.
Toward the end of the video, Adassa and the Noteworthy singers step aside to reveal a breathtaking painting called Every Sparrow by Jenedy Paige. Last year, Jenedy shared the inspiration behind the image in a video for the Church, which you can read about here:
Speaking about what the hymn means to her, Adassa shared: “I think that the Lord is there to catch us, no matter where we are in life. And He will breathe new life into us, so never give up.”
Hymn History
“His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was recently added to the new hymnbook for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The author, Civilla D. Martin, was inspired by the faith of a friend who dealt with debilitating health challenges for many years. When Civilla and her husband once asked this friend how she remained cheerful, the friend responded: “How can I be discouraged, when my Father watches the sparrows, and I know He loves and cares for me?”
After writing the text, Civilla sent the hymn to Charles H. Gabriel, who composed music to go along with her lyrics. Gabriel is also known for writing and composing the hymn “I Stand All Amazed.”
Originally published in 1905, “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” became influential in the African-American community during the Civil Rights movement and has been recorded by famous gospel singers like Ethel Waters, Mahalia Jackson, and Whitney Houston.
Watch Adassa and BYU Noteworthy’s a cappella rendition in the player above or on YouTube. Learn more about Adassa in the articles below:
▶ ‘Encanto’ actress on her faith-filled choice to record Christian music
▶ Adassa’s parenting advice: Be vulnerable with your children
▶ An ‘Encanto’ miracle: The faithful sacrifices that brought Adassa her dream
More articles for you:
▶ The scripture that was the ‘drumbeat’ of Patricia Holland’s motherhood
▶ Pres. Holland turns the phrase ‘going through the temple’ on its head
▶ This mission leader had a baby on her mission—what she realized about serving God
