Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

NS345
1
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.
2
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father and I, Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
3
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart;
O King of glory, my treasure Thou art.
4
O King of glory, my victory won;
Rule and reign in me ’til Thy will be done;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall;
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
93
Karen Murray

Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Thou mine inheritance. Praise the Lord! We have this treasure in earthen vessels.


Michelle Patrick

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

I love the version, also, translated by Mary Byrne.


Erik Culbertson

United States

English Translation

by Mary Byrne, 1905

Be Thou my vision O Lord of my heart

None other is aught but the King of the seven heavens.

Be Thou my meditation by day and night.

May it be thou that I behold even in my sleep.

Be Thou my speech, be Thou my understanding.

Be Thou with me, be I with Thee

Be Thou my Father, be I Thy son.

Mayst Thou be mine, may I be Thine.

Be Thou my battle-shield, be Thou my sword.

Be Thou my dignity, be Thou my delight.

Be Thou my shelter, be Thou my stronghold.

Mayst Thou raise me up to the company of the angels.

Be Thou every good to my body and soul.

Be Thou my kingdom in heaven and on earth.

Be Thou solely chief love of my heart.

Let there be none other, O high King of Heaven.

Till I am able to pass into Thy hands,

My treasure, my Beloved through the greatness of Thy love

Be Thou alone my noble and wondrous estate.

I seek not men nor lifeless wealth.

Be Thou the constant guardian of every possession and every life.

For our corrupt desires are dead at the mere sight of Thee.

Thy love in my soul and in my heart --

Grant this to me, O King of the seven heavens.

O King of the seven heavens grant me this --

Thy love to be in my heart and in my soul.

With the King of all, with Him after victory won by piety,

May I be in the kingdom of heaven O brightness of the Son.

Beloved Father, hear, hear my lamentations.

Timely is the cry of woe of this miserable wretch.

O heart of my heart, whatever befall me,

O Ruler of all, be Thou my vision.