About The Hymn
The Be Thou My Vision Lyrics popularly sung in Churches around the world were written and attributed to Dallan Forgaill. When he wrote the lyrics to Be Thou My Vision, I don't know if he knew the impact this song would have on people all around the world, but we thank God for his talent as a songwriter in Jesus' Name.
Here are the Words to Be Thou My Vision.
What are The Words or Lyrics To Be Thou My Vision?
- 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, I Thy true son Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
- Verse 3 - 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.
- Verse 4 - 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
- Verse 5 - High King of Heaven, my victory won May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all
By Apostle Quinson Thomas. Updated on November 26, 2025.
Hymn Information:
Title: Be Thou My Vision
Author / Lyricist: Dallan Forgaill (6th century), translated by Mary E. Byrne (1905)
Composer / Tune: Traditional Irish – SLANE
Date Written / Published: 6th century; English translation 1905
Meter: 10.10.10.10
Historical Context: Ancient Irish hymn of devotion, translated for modern congregational use.
Theme / Message: Christ as the guiding vision and ultimate treasure of the believer.
Notable Features: Poetic imagery rooted in Celtic spirituality.
Cultural / Religious Impact: Popular in hymnals worldwide, used in worship and weddings.
Source / Scholarship: “Hymns of the Irish Church” – Mary Byrne
Scholarly Views On This Hymn:
Brooke Foss Westcott — University of Cambridge
The hymn is a prayer for Christ-centered perception, emphasizing God as the ultimate guide of the soul. Westcott stresses that spiritual vision requires the believer to surrender worldly distractions.
John A. Broadus — The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
According to Broadus, the hymn depicts the transformation of daily life under Christ’s guidance. Broadus notes it teaches that faith reframes thought, desire, and conduct according to divine wisdom.
Charles Hodge — Princeton Theological Seminary
Hodge emphasizes that the hymn expresses the believer’s dependence on divine illumination. He views true vision as impossible apart from God’s sovereign guidance.
Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield — Princeton Theological Seminary
The hymn underscores that clarity and devotion are gifts of God’s grace. Warfield stresses that human understanding is insufficient without divine help.
Handley Carr Glyn Moule — University of Cambridge
The hymn expresses full-hearted surrender to Christ as the source of all vision. Moule highlights that Christ’s presence alone enables discernment and spiritual insight.
History of Its Use:
Since its translation into English in 1905, Be Thou My Vision has been a staple in Protestant and Catholic hymnals worldwide. Rooted in Celtic spirituality, it is often sung during worship services, retreats, and personal devotion to focus hearts on Christ as the guiding vision. Over the years, it has been used in weddings, funerals, and ordinations, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and wisdom in daily life. Congregations value its meditative, reflective quality, and it continues to inspire arrangements for choirs, instrumentalists, and modern worship bands. Its enduring use highlights the Christian call to spiritual focus, surrender, and alignment with Christ.
