A Hymn for St. Patrick's Day

When just 16 years old, Patrick watched from the bushes as raiders torched his childhood home in Scotland where he lived with his devout Christian family. But it wasn't until the raiders spied Patrick in his hiding place, seized him and took him to Ireland as a slave when Patrick finally gave his life to the Lord.

Eventually God allowed Patrick to escape his captors and return home --but not for long.

One night Patrick saw an Irishman in a dream, begging him to come back to Ireland as an evangelist -- which he did!

God used Patrick to plant 200 churches in Ireland and to bring over 100,000 converts to Christ.

As a result of St. Patrick's missionary work, the Irish church produced many beautiful hymns and prayers of devotion -- including one we know well.

In 1905, Be Thou My Vision, whose original author is unknown, was translated and versified into the English hymn we know today.

Be Thou My Vision

Translator: Mary E. Byrne; Versifier: Eleanor H. Hull

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 Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

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 Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.