Lyrics
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Be Thou My Vision,” sung here by Audrey Assad, is an old Irish hymn in a quiet modern setting. Each verse asks the Lord to be the singer’s vision, wisdom, Father, inheritance and treasure. The words set aside riches and the praise of others and name God as the one first in the heart.
The second verse speaks of closeness, with Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one. The last verse calls Him King of glory and asks Him to rule and reign until His will is done, calling Him Ruler of all. The language is formal, with “Thou” and “Thy,” and the lines are short, so the hymn is easy to follow slowly.
The themes are close to Psalm 73:25-26, Matthew 6:19-21 and John 15:4, on desiring God above all, treasure that lasts and abiding in Him.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but You
- Matthew 6:19-21 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be
- John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you