Songs That Sustain Me – Be Thou My Vision

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I first heard this song in my teens it gripped me and has never let go.  The melody is ancient as well and is both haunting and light.  You can often catch me singing this song a I move through my day.  It is one of those that chases away the pain and sorrow for me.

If I examine the words honestly they truly reflect who I wish to become as I move toward Christ and his likeness.  I want God to be my whole portion and felicity.  I want to give my life completely away to him and his purposes for that life.  In this song is all the submission, protection, and provision one needs.

Everything about following Christ is wrapped up in where I look.  When my eyes are on Christ then I follow well.  When my eyes are on me then I do not.  Seems so natural that I walk where I look.

Be Thou My Vision

Words: Dallan Forgail (6th Century)

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.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."