Be Thou My Vision

The words were written more than a thousand years ago. Passed down from generation to generation. Sung in isolated monasteries and magnificent cathedrals. By solitary Believers and whole congregations.

These are the words to the hymn “Be Thou My Vision.” Thought to have been written by Dallan Forgaill in Ireland, perhaps as far back as the sixth century. (We know the words from a translation provided by Mary Byrne and Eleanor Hull in the early twentieth century.)

Forgaill was a passionate poet committed to preserving the Gaelic language. But these words expressed how much more he needed God in his life, and what God meant to him.

His prayer was that God would be his “vision.” That His presence would be his light. That nothing else would interfere, “by day or by night, waking or sleeping.”

He looked to God for vision for He alone provided wisdom and the “true Word.” What a glorious, intimate relationship: “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.”

He knew that he needed God for the battles of life. That God would be his shield, and “sword for the fight.” God provided his shelter and “high tower.” How he needed God to raise him “heavenward, O Power of my power.”

He didn’t need riches or “man’s empty praise.” God Himself provided the only inheritance he needed. God was “first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.”

While the benefits were clear here on earth, he knew there were eternal rewards, praying that, “my victory won, may I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!”

Make sure that God is your vision. That He is the “Ruler of all,” and Lord of your life.