The Scotch- Irish knew something about making music in worship come alive. The old hymn “Be Thou My Vision” could have a root that goes all the way back to the sixth century. It has been worked on and modified over the years but never lost its powerful effects on the faithful.
The old hymn goes as follows:
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; thine own may I be,
Thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, 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.
This is about a relationship that has nothing to do with religion; it has everything to do with a personal relationship with God. May these ancient truths fill us with the desire to have what this poet had.
Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Think about it.
Gary