Be Thou My Vision - Ancient Irish Hymn from 8th Century by 4Him

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lieness7
October 04, 2008

Ancient Irish Hymn - Sung by contemporary Christian group - 4Him who are now singing independently - http://www.4him.net/index.html (website online) - lead singer - Andy Chrisman, Kirk Sullivan,...

Ancient Irish Hymn - Sung by contemporary Christian group - 4Him who are now singing independently - http://www.4him.net/index.html (website online) - lead singer - Andy Chrisman, Kirk Sullivan, Mark Harris, Marty Magehee

- You can hear more of the lead singer Andy Chrisman's contemporary Christian music at MySpace.com at this website address:

http://www.myspace.com/andychrisman

Also, you can Listen to WORSHIP...with Andy Chrisman on these American radio stations Sunday mornings:

WJIE - Louisville, KY - 8:30am-10:30am Sundays
FUSE FM
THE CROSS - Monroe, LA - 7am-11am Sundays
KXOJ - Tulsa - 6:00am-10:00am Sundays

Hymn Story:

With its heartfelt poetry and moving melody, "Be Thou My Vision" beautifully expresses the desires of the Christian heart. Though its popularity rose only in the past fifty years or so, the hymn actually has a rich history dating back to the eighth century.

Between the years of 400 and 700 AD the Irish people lived out a passionate faith in Christ. Ireland took up the missionary endeavor with excitement, and the country became known for its all-absorbing efforts to share Christianity throughout the world. Irish missionaries were found from Scotland to Switzerland, spreading the Good News wherever they went.

Some scholars believe that the words to the hymn are the product of a man known simply as St. Patrick. Patrick was born in A.D. 373 along the banks of the River Clyde in what is now called Scotland. When he was 16 he was kidnapped by pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland. There he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He eventually escaped, but he never forgot this experience and when he was about 30 he returned to his former captors with only one possession: the Latin Bible. History tells us that St. Patrick was the man most responsible for the Good News of Christ coming to Ireland. As a result of his preaching, over 200 churches were established and 100,000 converts were baptized.

"Be Thou My Vision" undoubtedly comes from this spiritually rich period. Its prominent theme encourages single-hearted focus and devotion to Christ. In the hymn lyrics, the poet expresses his adoration of God through the many titles he gives him: Vision, Wisdom, Word, Great Father, Power, Inheritance, High King of heaven, Treasure, bright heaven's Sun, Ruler of all.

Today, we continue to sing the words of this hymn, echoing the poet's response to God's many titles. "Thou my best thought, Thy presence my light."

From website: "Center for Church Music Songs and Hymns"

Lyrics:

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 Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

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 heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

4Him was a Contemporary Christian group founded in 1990 in Alabama, USA. The group has a Grammy nomination, seven Dove awards and an album certified gold to their credit. The group was inducted into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, following the awarding of The Governors Achievement Award. The group has also been featured performers for popular Christian Evangelist crusaders, Billy Graham and Louis Palau.

4Him disbanded in 2006 to pursue individual careers of ministry and music. They have released 11 studio albums which have produced 24 number one singles.

The group has made sporadic reunion appearances since 2009.

For more info about the band check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4Him

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JohnRiemannSoong (2 days ago) Show Hide

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I'm atheist (former Christian) and this is on my playlist

that shows you how awesome it is

luvsuxo (1 week ago) Show Hide

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this song is amazing I love it!

mua10 (1 week ago) Show Hide

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where can i download this version? I REALLY like this song! and THIS version!!! :DDD
thanks :)

RiaKentucky (6 days ago) Show Hide

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right on the page it says (well at least in the States) "Download this song: AmazonMP3"

right under favorite

RiaKentucky (1 week ago) Show Hide

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Check out Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder - "I am Ready to Go" to see how Celtic music (more Scots background, but some Irish and English as well) evolved after 250 years in the mountains of America.

But this is great, wonderful mellow devotional music - my favorite. Thanks for posting

RiaKentucky (1 week ago) Show Hide

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I love mellow devotional music. This is certainly that. Most of my ancestors spent some time in Ireland - they were lowland Scots pretty much sent by the English. They immigrated to the Appalachian mountains in the 1760s - just in time to do what comes naturally - rebel !!

I will attempt to post a video response from the Kentucky Thunder, so you all have an idea of what Celtic music evolved to in the hills of America.

best wishes for a Merry Christmas

fethard14 (2 weeks ago) Show Hide

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Does anyone have the Tin Whistle music for this? or a link to where i can get he music?
thanks :)

umsabath7 (2 weeks ago) Show Hide

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will be remain in our heart...

RainhadoCanto4 (3 weeks ago) Show Hide

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Oh! This is so very beautiful! Thank you, Eric, for sending it to me!

Beautiful views, too! Thanks for posting, lieness7 !

hope4TG (1 week ago) Show Hide

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Lovely version of this song!

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Be Thou My Vision - Ancient Irish Hymn from 8th Century by 4Him

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