Bryan E. Wilson

Ancient Irish Poem – 8th Century

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,

walking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

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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.

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Be thou my battle shield, sword for my fight;

be thou my dignity, thou my soul’s shelter,

thou my high tow’r; raise thou me heavenward,

O Power of my power.

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Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

thou my inheritance, now and always: 

thou and thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

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High King of heaven, my victory won, 

may I reach heaven’s joy, O bright heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

still be my vision, O Ruler of all.