Be Thou My Vision

I have visited Ireland a number of times during the course of my career and have loved the beauty of God’s creation in this part of the world!  One of my favorite hymns, “Be Thou My Vision”, was written in the 8th century in Ireland and thus has been in existence for around 1300 years.

Quoting from Covenant Life Church’s website: “It is one of the world’s most loved hymns because of its timeless, beautiful melody and its visual language that exalts God above all other things. It was translated from ancient Irish into English by Mary Byrne in 1905 and put in hymn form by Eleanor Hull in 1912. Rather than referring to God in vague, general terms, the lyrics ascribe specific titles to God: Vision, Lord, Best Thought, Wisdom, Word, Great Father, High King, Inheritance, Treasure, Sun, Ruler, Heart. These clear images provide fresh motivation to honor God supremely in our hearts.”  AMEN!

Here is a wonderful rendition by Michael Card (ignore the slideshow and just listen to the words)!  We will be singing this God-exalting hymn this coming Lord’s Day at Grace Bible Church.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Text: Irish Hymn, 8th century Translated by Mary E. Byrne, 1905, versified by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912 Tune: SLANE, Ancient Irish

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