Sunday Hymn: Be Thou My Vision

BE THOU MY VISION

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.

I nearly always post songs that are part of our morning worship, but this is the song that has been echoing in my heart and mind.  I cannot sing this song without tears building up.  There are so many wonderful hymns in the world--the expression of the worship of so many souls.  What a privilege it is to enter into worship with the saints throughout the ages.  This one never fails to stir my heart in praise to the High King of Heaven.

Comments

[missmellifluous]

This is my VERY favourite hymn ever! May He be both your vision and my vision always! No matter what!

[ellen b]

Beautiful. My best thought!

[Kim in On]

My son played this on the piano for offertory this morning! My favorite hymn.

[Lisa writes...]

My very favorite as well!

[lawyerchik1]

I can't sing this without crying either, Kim. I love it when we sing it at church, but I also cannot get through it. :) It's a truly lovely and touching hymn.

[Stushie]

Years ago, I shared a Good Friday service with a woman at a seniors' residential home. We were both to talk about our favorite hymns and I chose "be Thou My Vision.". I told the audience that when I was a child I always sang the last verse wrong. Instead of "High King of heaven," I would innocently sing "Hiking in heaven." The seniors laughed and we sang the hymn.

The lady speaker stood up to talk about her favorite hymn and began with something like this. "Be Thou my Vision" was my only daughter's favorite hymn. I have never been able to sing it since she died, until today. You see my daughter loved walking outdoors, up and down the Scottish hills. Mr. Stuart has given me a new image that has restored my ability to sing this song. I can now picture my daughter hiking in heaven, and will do so each time I sing this beautiful hymn."

[theArthurClan]

This hymn is so moving and incredibly lovely. It's one of my favorites!