Be Thou My Vision
The Lower Lights Lyrics
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not 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 battle shield sword for the fight
be thou my dignity thou my delight
thou my soul shelter thou my highdom
High king of heaven my victory won
may i reach heavens joys all bright and sung
heart of my own heart whatever be fall
still be my vision oh ruler of all
oh still be my vision oh ruler of all
The Lower Lights's song "Be Thou My Vision" is a powerful and inspiring hymn of devotion to God. The lyrics speak of the desire to fully trust and rely on God as the ultimate guide and source of strength, asking Him to be the vision that guides one's life. The song begins with a plea for God to be the sole focus and desire of the heart, to the exclusion of all else. This is reiterated throughout the song as various aspects of God's role in the singer's life and relationship with Him are mentioned.
In the second stanza, God is asked to take on the role of both shield and sword in the ongoing battle of life. He is also asked to be the source of one's dignity and joy. The third stanza shifts to a request for Him to be a refuge and protector, as well as the ultimate destination - the power that brings the singer to heaven. The final stanza reiterates the title of the song and asks God to remain in that central position throughout all of life's ups and downs.
Overall, the message of the song is one of complete surrender and trust in God - a giving over of oneself to His will and guidance. It is a beautiful hymn of devotion that has resonated with believers for generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Be thou my vision oh lord of my heart
My thoughts are entirely centered on you, my God.
Not be all else to me save that thou art
Everything else is insignificant when compared to my relationship with you.
Thou my best thought by day or by night
My mind always gravitates towards you, whether it's day or night.
Waking or sleeping thy presence my light
My comfort and guidance comes from knowing that you are always with me, whether I am awake or asleep.
Be thou my battle shield sword for the fight
Be my protector and defender when I am in the midst of struggles and conflict.
Be thou my dignity thou my delight
You are the source of my self-worth and the joy that I experience in life.
Thou my soul shelter thou my highdom
You provide a place of safety and peace for my soul.
Raise thou me heavenward oh power of my home
Please guide me towards heaven, the ultimate destination that I long for, oh God.
High king of heaven my victory won
You are the ruler over all heaven and earth, and you have already won the battles ahead of me.
May I reach heaven's joys all bright and sung
May I be granted the opportunity to experience the happiness and peace of heaven.
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
No matter what happens to me, you are always the foundation of my being.
Still be my vision oh ruler of all
Please continue to be the focal point of my existence, oh God, even as I navigate life's challenges.
Contributed by Ava L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.