Be Thou My Vision (Hymn)

Be Thou My Vision is a hymn is about God being an integral part of every moment of life, whether it’s day or night, awake or asleep. It emphasizes that God should be the foremost priority in one’s heart, as He is, the ruler of heaven and the ultimate treasure.

The hymn urges us to dedicate our hearts, minds, and attention to God’s will, keeping our focus on Jesus Christ. We can successfully run the race that is before us “by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” We run for Him and with Him and finally, to Him!

Be Thou My Vision Lyrics (1905)

VERSE 1
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.

VERSE 2
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me, Lord.
Born of Thy love, Thy child may I be,
Thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.

VERSE 3
Be Thou my buckler, my sword for the fight.
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight,
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tow’r.
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

VERSE 4
Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
Ruler of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

VERSE 5
True Light of heaven, when vict’ry is won
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Words and Music, Translator: Mary E. Byrne; Versifier: Eleanor H. Hull (Hymn) Public Domain. Mary Elizabeth Byrne, M.A. (July 2, 1880 – January 19, 1931), was an Irish native. In 1905, she undertook the translation of the Old Irish Hymn “Bí Thusa ‘mo Shúile” into English, resulting in the version known as “Be Thou My Vision,” which was published in Ériu, the journal of the School of Irish Learning.

Check out the contemporary rendition of the hymn Be Thou My Vision performed by Kristyn Getty in the video provided.

Story Behind this Hymn

The hymn Be Thou My Vision has a rich history rooted in Irish tradition and Christian faith. Its origins trace back to the 8th century, with its lyrics believed to be based on an Old Irish poem, Rop tú mo Baile, attributed to the 6th-century poet Dallán Forgaill, though some scholars argue it was written later. [1]

The poem reflects the medieval Irish practice of using heroic imagery to describe God as a protector, drawing parallels to a chieftain or “High King of Heaven”. [2]

The melody, known as Slane, is a traditional Irish tune named after Slane Hill, where St. Patrick famously defied the pagan King Lóegaire by lighting a paschal fire on Easter Sunday in 433 AD, symbolizing the light of Christ. [1]

The hymn remained obscure for centuries until 1905, when Mary Elizabeth Byrne, an Irish scholar, translated the poem into English prose. Her work was later versified by Eleanor Hull in 1912, giving the hymn its modern form. [4] The melody Slane was first published in 1909 and paired with Hull’s lyrics in 1919, cementing its place in hymnals worldwide. [5]

The hymn’s enduring appeal lies in its profound prayer for God’s guidance and presence, echoing themes of faith, protection, and devotion. Its journey from ancient Irish poetry to a globally cherished hymn reflects the resilience of spiritual expression across centuries. [1]

Relevant Bible Passages about Be Thou My Vision

Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. Joel 2:28-29 NRSV

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith – that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:8-11 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Preaching Points

Considering all aspects of the song, the central question “Be Thou My Vision” answers is: How should we prioritize God in our lives?

Prioritize God as the foremost priority in your heart, as stated in the lyrics, “Thou and Thou only, first in my heart”. This aligns with the biblical principle in Matthew 6:33 which reads “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Seek God as your source of guidance and wisdom with “Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word”. This resonates with Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Pursue a life with God as your ultimate treasure when the lyrics state, “Thou mine inheritance, now and always…Ruler of heaven, my treasure Thou art”. This echoes the sentiment in Philippians 3:8, that says “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Ultimately, the hymn encourages believers to make God the vision that guides all aspects of their life, inviting them into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the divine.

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