Be Thou My Vision

One of my favorite hymns is "Be Thou My Vision."

It is an ancient Irish tune that was brought into English sometime in the past couple hundred years. In truth, not a whole lot is known about who wrote it or exactly when it originated, but it showed up in an English journal for the first time in 1905.  Be that as it is, I am simply astounded at the depth of wealth of this little tune.  Not only is it a beautiful piece of music, and it most certainly is that, but it is also just brimming with a cry of sincere worship.  Read the first verse.  Let is soak in.  Let it be your prayer as it will be mine today.

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.

Talk About Hymn

It's one of my favorite songs and it goes like this:

"Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy,
Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity."

It was written almost two centuries ago by a man named Reginald Heber but the words still ring with beauty and truth today.  It is a song that brings generations together in one chorus to praise God.  In truth, this is why I love this song so much.  It is commanded that we sing to God and speak to each other with hymns and such (See Eph. 5 & Col. 3).  It is then a necessary and good thing for us to learn–I mean memorize–these classic and beautiful hymns of praise so that we may be able to join in song across ages to worship God with one, unified voice.  Now that sounds like a choir worth listening too!