Hymn Series Day 10 – Be Thou My Vision
This hymn that has greatly impacted me for as long as I can remember… It's a prayer and pledge all at once. It actually originated as an ancient Irish poem, written in the sixth century by Irish Monk and Bard Dallan Forgaill.
It is told that Dallan wrote the poem upon inspiration of St Patricks defiance, in early 400AD, of the then King of Ireland – High King Logaire of Tara. The King had decreed that no fire or candle was to be lit until he lit the first spark that would ignite a pagan festival – a festival that was celebrated on the same weekend Christians celebrated Easter. St Patrick, a missionary to Ireland and her people, defied the King and lit fires on Easter Eve in honour to God despite the death threats he was receiving.
The account goes that the King was so impressed and taken back by St Patricks devotion to God, that he allowed him to continue his missionary work unhindered. Dallan, who was himself a reformist, teaching the bards of Ireland to honour God with their skills and talents, was the head professor at a monastery on the coast of Ireland. His monastery was invaded by pirates who, when Dallan would not bow, beheaded him in front of the entire monastery and its inhabitants. Legend has it, that after a few hours, in front of all, God himself reached down and with honour re-attached Dallans head to his body. What an incredible story!!
In any case, this hymn has seen many years, centuries, wars, times of peace, friendships, Kings and Queens, marriages, Presidents, Prime Ministers, changing times, stubborn times… And throughout all the ages it has seen, its one message has stayed the same – “Be thou my vision, Oh Lord of my heart.”
Keep your eyes on Jesus. The one who will never change, who will never forsake you, you will never fail you or be unfaithful to you… Be inspired by the account of St Patrick and Dallan today and live your life with a gutsy confidence that no matter what is happening around you, Jesus is your one true focus…
“Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all”.
Read the lyrics to “Be Thou My Vision” below:
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
Be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
Thou my best thought in the day and the night,
Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,
Be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;
Be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
Be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be thou my whole armour, be thou my true might;
Be thou my soul's shelter, be thou my strong tower:
O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:
Be thou mine inheritance now and always;
Be thou and thou only the first in my heart
O Sovereign of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of Heaven, thou Heaven's bright sun,
O grant me its joys after victory is won!;
Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.