Hymn

Did you know that one of my nieces got married this weekend?  I KNOW.. how wonderful is that?   She’s a sweet girl and has married a good God-fearing man.   They had three hymns at their wedding and Be Thou My Vision was one of them.  When we were singing it I thought it would be a great hymn to share with you all.

I was surprised in my research to discover that this was an old Irish song.  The words are attributed to Dallan Forgaill.  They were translated in 1912 by an Eleanor Hull.  Some versions have the verses divided into two lines each, others into the (to me) more common four lines per verse.  The tune, like with many songs, has varied over the years.   I think I picked two different ones to show case today. 

It’s not one of those hymns that you belt out, but a quieter more contemplative song.   Read the words… it’s a really nice, deep hymn.  For a deeper understanding of the history visit Discipleship Ministries. 

Lyrics:

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.

Authored by Fanny Crosby ,I have enjoyed singing Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross, as far back as I can remember.  It’s a simple tune written by W. Doane and was a song requested of Ms. Crosby. 

Fanny Crosby was a prolific hymn writer with over 8,000 hymns to her credit. She became blind at a young age and was educated at the New York Institute for the Blind.  Being taught to sing spurred on her interest in writing her own music.  She was a friend of many presidents and worked hard to improve conditions for the blind.  She is credited with saying that blindness was a gift, for if she could see, she might become distracted from writing hymns.  She wrote hymns until about a year before she passed away.   She was much influenced by the revivals sweeping the nation at the time.   For more information on Fanny Crosby click here. 

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Refrain

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Refrain

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Refrain

Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty, this isn’t a highly familiar hymn for me, but one I’ve sung off and on throughout the years.  The version I know only has three verses so it was interesting to discover that it has five verses.   Written by Benjamin Schmolck, a German pastor and hymn writer from the late 1600, early 1700’s.

Schmolck preached a sermon for his father, that so impressed a patron that he was sent to learn more theology eventually serving as a pastor in a Lutheran church outside of Schweidnitz.  He gained a reputation as a poet, when to support himself while in seminary he wrote poetry for wealthy citizens.  He wrote over 900 hymns, and was the most popular German hymn writer at this time.  He also wrote cantatas, as well as occasional pieces for weddings, and funerals.

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