Be Thou My Vision

The worship leader at my church included ancient Irish hymn, "Be Thou My Vision," in our New Year's Day service.   It seemed a most appropriate song for a new year.   This painting of Scottish artist John Duncan's daughter captures the girl as she looks straight and true into her father's eyes, even though tasked to hold her cat.  It couldn't have been easy for a young girl save for the love of her father.   I confess to being too easily distracted to hold still for God.  I'd like to have His vision be mine.  I want to heed his admonition in Psalm 46: 10.  

 ¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; 
   I will be exalted among the nations, 
   I will be exalted in the earth.

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.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

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.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;

Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;

Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.