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.
This song was thought to be an ancient irish poem dating sometime around 700 A.D. We don't know who wrote it or really when. It was found by Mary E. Byrne, a researcher and writer, who put the verse into form for singing. Later, Eleanor H. Hull rewrote it setting the words to a melody of a traditional Irish song. It is the oldest hymn sung in churches today and it still holds power to resonate in the believers heart. It never fails to lift my soul to God whenever I hear it.
The song is a prayer to me. Lord, be my vision. Fill the eyes of my soul with you and never let me look elsewhere for fulfillment! Lord, do not let my eyes wander to the riches of this world or to the praise of men! Let it be only you that I seek. You are all sufficient, all I need now and for always! Rule over EVERYTHING in my life, no matter what happens.
