Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

Be Thou My Vision

Ancient Irish; trans. Mary E. Byrne and Eleanor H. Hull

Ancient Latin Hymnody represents the foundational roots of Western Christian worship, emerging from the early church between the 4th and 12th centuries. Often written anonymously by monks and theologians who sought no personal fame, these hymns (like the grand 'Te Deum Laudamus' or 'Of the Father's Love Begotten') were crafted to safeguard essential biblical truths against heresies during turbulent times. Their survival across millennia testifies to the enduring power of scripture set to song, forming a golden thread that unites early Christian martyrs, medieval monks, and modern worshippers in one voice.

Source: Public-domain Irish hymn translation

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 and 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 dear child;
Thou in me dwelling, with thee reconciled.
Be thou my breastplate, 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.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, 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 Heav'ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Away in a MangerBe Still, My SoulBeams of HeavenBefore Elisha's gateBehold the throne of grace!Beside the gospel pool