The Presbyterian Hymnal ‎#339

339. Be Thou My Vision

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.

2 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
Great God of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

3 Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Text Information

• First Line: Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
• Title: Be Thou My Vision
• Translator: Mary E. Byrne (1905)
• Versifier: Eleanor H. Hull (1912; alt.)
• Meter: 10.10.9.10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1990
• Scripture:
  Psalm 73:25
  ;
  Philippians 3:7
• Topic: God: Guidance
• Source: Ancient Irish poem

Tune Information

• Name: SLANE
• Harmonizer: David Evans (1927)
• Meter: 10.10.9.10
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Irish ballad
• Copyright: Harmonization from the Revised Church Hymnary 1927. Used by permission of Oxford University Press.