The Hymnal 1982 ‎#488

488. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
all else be nought 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; thine own may I be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.

3 High King of heaven, when victory is won,
may I reach heaven's joys, bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Text Information

• First Line: Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
• Versifier: Mary Elizabeth Byrne, 188-1931
• Translator: Eleanor H. Hull, 1860-1935 (alt.)
• Meter: 10 10. 9 10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1985
• Topic: Jesus Christ our Lord
• Source: Irish, ca. 700

Tune Information

• Name: SLANE
• Harmonizer: David Evans, 1874-1948
• Meter: 10 10. 9 10
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Irish ballad melody; The Church Hymnary, 1927 (adapt.)
• Copyright: By permission of Oxford University Press.