Be Still My Soul
By: Katharina von Schlegel; translated by Jane Borthwick
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
The Day of Resurrection
Words: John of Damascus (675-749) (Αναστάσεως ήμέρα);
translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, 1862.
The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;
And listening to His accents, may hear, so calm and plain,
His own All hail! and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend,
For Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end.
Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth
Words: Ambrose of Milan circa 397 (Veni, Redemptor gentium);
translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale, 1862.
Come, Thou Redeemer of the earth,
And manifest Thy virgin birth:
Let every age adoring fall;
Such birth befits the God of all.
Begotten of no human will,
But of the Spirit, Thou art still
The Word of God in flesh arrayed,
The promised Fruit to man displayed.
The virgin womb that burden gained
With virgin honor all unstained;
The banners there of virtue glow;
God in His temple dwells below.
Forth from His chamber goeth He,
That royal home of purity,
A giant in twofold substance one,
Rejoicing now His course to run.
From God the Father He proceeds,
To God the Father back He speeds;
His course He runs to death and hell,
Returning on God’s throne to dwell.
O equal to the Father, Thou!
Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.
Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,
And darkness breathe a newer light,
Where endless faith shall shine serene,
And twilight never intervene.
To Thee before the close of day
Words: Unknown author, 7th Century (Te lucis ante terminum);
translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale
To Thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with Thy wonted favor, Thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.
From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
In Bethlehem
Words: From an 11th Century manuscript (Congaudeat turba fidelium);
translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale
From church to church the bells’ glad tidings run:
A virgin hath conceived, and borne a Son
In Bethlehem.
And angel hosts, the midnight of His birth,
Sang Glory be to God, and peace on earth,
In Bethlehem.
Now go we forth, and see this wondrous thing,
The shepherds said, and seek the newborn King
In Bethlehem.
Then Herod sought the royal Son to slay,
Who rather should have to come to kneel and pray
In Bethlehem.
The star went leading on from east to west:
The wise men followed, till they saw it rest
In Bethlehem.
Their frankincense and myrrh, and gold they bring,
To hail the God, the Mortal, and the King
In Bethlehem.
With threefold gifts the Threefold God three praise,
Who thus vouchsafed the sons of man raise,
In Bethlehem.
The hymn for conquering martyrs raise
Words: Attributed to the Venerable Bede (673-735).
John M. Neale translated it from Latin to English in Mediaeval Hymns, 1851.
In connection with ‘the slaughter of the innocents’ under Herod, as recorded in Matt.2.
The hymn for conquering martyrs raise,
The victor innocents we praise,
Whom in their woe earth cast away,
But Heav’n with joy received today;
Whose angels see the Father’s face
World without end, and hymn His grace;
And while they chant unceasing lays,
The hymn for conquering martyrs raise.
A voice from Ramah was there sent,
A voice of weeping and lament,
When Rachel mourned the children’s care
Whom for the tyrant’s sword she bare.
Triumphal is their glory now,
Whom earthly torments could not bow,
What time, both far and near that went,
A voice from Ramah there was sent.
Fear not, O little flock and blest,
The lion that your life opprest!
To heavenly pastures ever new
The heavenly Shepherd leadeth you;
Who, dwelling now on Zion’s hill,
The Lamb’s dear footsteps follow still;
By tyrant there no more distrest,
Fear not, O little flock and blest.
And every tear is wiped away
By your dear Father’s hands for ay;
Death hath no power to hurt you more,
Whose own is life’s eternal store.
Who sow their seed, and sowing weep,
In everlasting joy shall reap,
What time they shine in heavenly day,
And every tear is wiped away.
O city blest o’er all the earth,
Who gloriest in the Savior’s birth,
Who are His earliest martyrs dear,
By kindred and by triumph here;
None from henceforth may call thee small,
Of rival towns thou passest all:
In whom our Monarch had His birth,
O city blest o’er all the earth!
Let our choir new anthems raise
Words: Joseph the Hymnographer, 9th Century (Των ίερων άθλόφορων).
Translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale
Let our choir new anthems raise, wake the morn with gladness;
God Himself to joy and praise turns the martyrs’ sadness:
Bright the day that won their crown, opened heav’ns bright portal,
As they laid the mortal down and put on th’immortal.
Never flinched they from the flame, from the torture never;
Vain the foeman’s sharpest aim, Satan’s best endeavor:
For by faith they saw the land decked in all its glory,
Where triumphant now they stand with the victor’s story.
Faith they had that knew not shame, love that could not languish;
And eternal hope o’ercame momentary anguish.
Up and follow, Christian men! Press through toil and sorrow;
Spurn the night of fear, and then, O the glorious morrow!
Now that the daylight fills the sky
Words: Attributed to Ambrose of Milan (340-397) (Iam lucis orto sidere);
translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale, 1852.
Now that the daylight fills the sky,
We lift our hearts to God on high,
That He, in all we do or say,
Would keep us free from harm today.
May He restrain our tongues from strife,
And shield from anger’s din our life,
And guard with watchful care our eyes
From earth’s absorbing vanities.
O may our inmost hearts be pure,
From thoughts of folly kept secure,
And pride of sinful flesh subdued
Through sparing use of daily food.
So we, when this day’s work is o’er,
And shades of night return once more,
Our path of trial safely trod,
Shall give the glory to our God.
All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
Forever and forevermore.
Saint of God, elect and precious
Words: Unknown author, 11th Century (Sancte Dei pretiose);
translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale
Saint of God, elect and precious,
Protomartyr Stephen, bright
With thy love of amplest measure,
Shining round thee like a light;
Who to God commendest, dying,
Them that did thee all despite.
Glitters now the crown above thee,
Figured in thy honored name:
O that we, who truly love thee,
May have portion in the same;
In the dreadful day of judgment
Fearing neither sin nor shame.
Laud to God, and might, and honor,
Who with flowers of rosy dye
Crowned thy forehead, and hath placed thee
In the starry throne on high:
He direct us, He protect us,
From death’s sting eternally.
Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
Words: John of Damascus (675-749) (Αισωμεν πάντες Λαοί);
translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, 1859
Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness;
God hath brought forth Israel
Into joy from sadness;
Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.
’Tis the spring of souls today;
Christ has burst His prison,
And from three days’ sleep in death
As a sun hath risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From His light, to whom we give
Laud and praise undying.
Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to glad Jerusalem,
Who with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus’ resurrection.
Neither might the gates of death,
Nor the tomb’s dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal
Hold Thee as a mortal;
But today amidst the twelve
Thou didst stand, bestowing
That Thy peace which evermore
Passeth human knowing.
Alleluia! now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb’s dark portal;
Alleluia! with the Son,
God the Father praising,
Alleluia! yet again
To the Spirit raising.
Christ is made the sure foundation
Words: Unknown author, 7th Century (Angularis fundamentum);
translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale
Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion’s help forever,
And her confidence alone.
All that dedicated city,
Dearly loved of God on high,
In exultant jubilation,
Pours perpetual melody,
God the One in Three adoring
In glad hymns eternally.
To this temple, where we call Thee,
Come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
With Thy wonted lovingkindness
Hear Thy servants as they pray.
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.
Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they ask of Thee to gain;
What they gain from Thee forever
With the blessèd to retain,
And hereafter in Thy glory
Evermore with Thee to reign
Sing praise to God who reigns above
Words: Johann Jakob Schultz (1675); Translated by Frances Cox
Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled
and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.
The Lord is never far away,
but through all grief distressing,
an ever present help and stay,
our peace and joy and blessing.
As with a mother's tender hand,
God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.
Thus all my toilsome way along,
I sing aloud thy praises,
that earth may hear the grateful song
my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart,
both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.
Let all who name Christ's holy name
give God all praise and glory;
let all who own his power proclaim
aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne,
for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory.
At The Lamb's High Feast We Sing
Anon., Latin, 6th Century. Translated by Robert Campbell, 1849.
At the Lamb's high feast we sing
Praise to our victorious King,
Who hath washed us in the tide
Flowing from His piercèd Side;
Praise we Him, whose love divine,
Gives His sacred Blood for wine,
Gives His Body for the feast,
Christ the Victim, Christ the Priest.
Where the Paschal blood is poured,
Death's dark angel sheathes his sword
Israel's hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, Whose Blood was shed,
Paschal Victim, Paschal Bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we manna from above.
Mighty Victim from the sky!
Hell's fierce powers beneath Thee lie;
Thou hast conquer'd in the fight,
Thou hast brought us life and light:
Now no more can death appall,
Now no more the grave enthrall;
Thou hast opened Paradise,
And in Thee Thy saints shall rise.
Easter triumph, Easter joy,
Sin alone can this destroy;
From sin's power do Thou set free
Souls new-born, O Lord, in Thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to Thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to Thee,
With the Spirit, ever be.
Lord Jesus, Christ, be present now
Words: Wilhelm IV of Sachsen-Weimer, 1651 (Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend); translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth,1863.
Lord Jesus, Christ, be present now,
Our hearts in true devotion bow,
Thy Spirit send with grace divine,
And let Thy truth within us shine.
Unseal our lips to sing Thy praise,
Our souls to Thee in worship raise,
Make strong our faith, increase our light
That we may know Thy name aright.
Until we join the hosts that cry,
Holy art Thou, O Lord, most high!
And in the light of that blest place
Fore’er behold Thee face to face.
Glory to God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To Thee, O blessèd Trinity,
Be praise throughout eternity!
Rejoice, rejoice, ye Christians
Words: Geistliche Lieder (Freut euch ihr Christen);
translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth
Rejoice, rejoice, ye Christians, with all your heart this morn!
O hear the blessèd tidings, the Lord, the Christ is born,
Now brought us by the angels that stand about God’s throne;
O lovely are the voices that make such tidings known!
O hearken to their singing! This Child shall be your Friend;
The Father so hath willed it, that thus your woes should end.
The Son is freely given, that in Him ye may have
The Father’s grace and blessing, and know He loves to save.
Nor deem the form too lowly that clothes Him at this hour;
For know ye what it hideth? ’Tis God’s almighty power.
Though now within the manger so poor and weak He lies,
He is the Lord of all things, He reigns above the skies.
Sin, death, and hell, and Satan have lost the victory;
This Child shall overthrow them, as ye shall surely see;
Their wrath shall aught avail them; fear not, their reign is o’er;
This Child shall overthrow them; Oh hear and doubt no more.
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child
Words: Martin Luther, 1535;
translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth, 1855.
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;
I, too, must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle song.
Glory to God in highest Heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
O Jesus, king of glory
Words: Martin Behm, 1606) (O König aller Ehren);
translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth.
O Jesus, king of glory
Both David’s Lord and Son!
Thy realm endures forever,
In Heav’n is fixed Thy throne.
Help that in earth’s dominions,
Throughout from pole to pole,
Thy reign may spread salvation,
To each benighted soul.
The Eastern sages, bringing
Their tribute gifts to Thee,
Bear witness to Thy kingdom
And humbly bow the knee.
To Thee the star is pointing,
And the prophetic Word;
Hence joyously we hail Thee:
Our Savior and our Lord!
Thou art a mighty Monarch,
As by Thy Word is told,
Yet carest Thou but little
For earthly goods or gold;
On no proud steed Thou ridest,
Thou wear’st no jeweled crown
Nor dwell’st in lordly castle,
But bearest scoff and frown.
Yet art Thou decked with beauty,
With rays of glorious light;
Thy works proclaim Thy goodness,
And all Thy ways are right.
Vouchsafe to shield Thy people
With Thine almighty arm
That they may dwell in safety
From those who mean them harm.
Ah, look on me with pity
Though I am weak and poor;
Admit me to Thy kingdom
To dwell there, blest and sure.
I pray Thee, guide and keep me
Safe from my bitter foes,
From sin and death and Satan;
Free me from all my woes.
And bid Thy Word within me
Shine as the fairest star;
Keep sin and all false doctrine
Forever from me far.
Help me confess Thee truly
And with Thy Christendom
Here own Thee king and Savior
And in the world to come.
Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word
By: Tobias Clausnitzer; Translated by Catherine Wickworth
Blessed Jesus, at your word
we are gathered all to hear you.
Let our hearts and souls be stirred
now to seek and love and fear you.
By your gospel pure and holy,
teach us, Lord, to love you solely.
All our knowledge, sense, and sight
lie in deepest darkness shrouded,
till your Spirit breaks our night
with your beams of truth unclouded.
You alone to God can win us;
you must work all good within us.
Glorious Lord, yourself impart;
Light of Light, from God proceeding,
open lips and ears and heart;
help us by your Spirit's leading.
Hear the cry your church now raises;
Lord, accept our prayers and praises.
Heart and Heart Together Bound
Words: Nicolaus Ludwig Graf von Zinzendorf
translated by Catherine Winkworth
Heart and heart together bound,
Seek in God your true repose,
In your love the price be found
Of your Saviour's love and woes;
We the members, He the Head,
We the rays and He the Sun,
Brethren by our Master led,
In our Lord we all are one.
Children of His realm, draw near,
Make your covenant stronger still,
From your hearts allegiance swear
Unto Him who conquer'd ill.
If your bonds are yet too weak,
If but fragile yet they prove,
Help from His good Spirit seek
Who can steel the chains of love.
Only such love will suffice,
As the love that dwells in Him,
Love that from the cross ne'er flies,
Love that spares not life or limb:
'T was for sinners He was slain,
'T was for foes He shed His blood,
That His death for all might gain
Endless life,--the Highest Good.
Thus, O truest Friend, unite
All Thy consecrated band,
That their hearts be set aright
To fulfil Thy last command.
Each must onward urge his friend,
Helping him in word and deed,
Love's blest pathway to ascend,
Following where Thou dost lead.
Thou who dost command that all
Practice love who bear Thy name,
Wake the dead, new followers call,
Touch the slothful with Thy flame.
Let us live, O Lord, at one,
As Thou with the Father art,
That through all the world be none
Of Thy members left apart.
O Christ, our true and only light
Words: Johann Heerman, 1630 (O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht);
translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth, 1858
O Christ, our true and only light,
Illumine those who sit in night;
Let those afar now hear Thy voice,
And in Thy fold with us rejoice.
Fill with the radiance of Thy grace
The souls now lost in error’s maze,
And all, O Lord, whose secret minds,
Some dark delusion hurts and blinds.
And all who else have strayed from Thee,
O gently seek; Thy healing be
To every wounded conscience given;
And let them also share Thy heaven.
O make the deaf to hear Thy Word;
And teach the dumb to speak, dear Lord,
Who dare not yet the faith avow
Though secretly they hold it now.
Shine on the darkened and the cold;
Recall the wanderers to Thy fold;
Unite those now who walk apart;
Confirm the weak and doubting heart.
So they with us may evermore
Such grace with wondering thanks adore,
And endless praise to Thee be given
By all the Church in earth and Heaven.
The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away
Words: Johann Steurlein, 1588 (From Sieben und Zwantzigk newe geistliche Gesenge); translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth, 1863.
The old year now hath passed away;
We thank Thee, O our God, today
That Thou hast kept us through the year
When danger and distress were near.
We pray Thee, O eternal Son,
Who with the Father reign’st as One,
To guard and rule Thy Christendom
Through all the ages yet to come.
Take not Thy saving Word away,
Our souls’ true comfort, staff, and stay.
Abide with us and keep us free
From errors, following only Thee.
Oh, help us to forsake all sin,
A new and holier course begin!
Mark not what once was done amiss;
A happier, better year be this,
Wherein as Christians we may live
Or die in peace that Thou canst give,
To rise again when Thou shalt come
And enter Thine eternal home.
There shall we thank Thee and adore
With all the angels evermore.
Lord Jesus Christ, increase our faith
To praise Thy Name through life and death.
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates
Words: Georg Weissel, 1642 (Macht hoch die Thür);
translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates,
Behold the King of glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near,
The Savior of the world is here;
Life and salvation doth He bring,
Wherefore rejoice and gladly sing:
We praise Thee, Father, now!
Creator, wise art Thou!
The Lord is just, a helper tried,
Mercy is ever at His side,
His kingly crown is holiness,
His scepter, pity in distress,
The end of all our woe He brings;
Wherefore the earth is glad and sings:
We praise Thee, Savior, now,
Mighty in deed art Thou!
Oh blest the land, the city blest,
Where Christ the ruler is confessed!
Oh happy hearts and happy homes
To whom this king in triumph comes!
The cloudless sun of joy He is,
Who bringeth pure delight and bliss:
O Comforter divine,
What boundless grace is Thine!
Fling wide the portals of your heart,
Make it a temple set apart
From earthly use for Heaven’s employ,
Adorned with prayer and love and joy;
So shall your sovereign enter in,
And new and nobler life begin:
To Thee, O God, be praise,
For word and deed and grace!
Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to Thee—here, Lord, abide!
Let me Thy inner presence feel,
Thy grace and love in me reveal,
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on
Until our glorious goal is won!
Eternal praise and fame
We offer to Thy name.
Sweetest joy the soul can know
Words: Paul Gerhardt, 1648 (O du allersüsste Freude);
translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth
Sweetest joy the soul can know,
Fairest light was ever shed,
Who alike in joy or woe,
Leavest none unvisited;
Spirit of the Highest God,
Lord from whom is life bestowed,
Who upholdest everything,
Hear me, hear me, while I sing!
For the noblest gift Thou art
That a soul e’er sought or won,
Have I wished Thee to my heart,
Then my wishing all is done;
Ah then yield Thee, nor refuse
Here to dwell, for Thou didst choose
This my heart, from e’en its birth,
For Thy temple here on earth.
Thou art shed like gentlest showers
From the Father and the Son,
Bringest to this earth of ours
Purest blessing from their throne;
Suffer then, O noble Guest,
That rich gift by Thee possessed,
Which Thou givest at Thy will
All my soul and flesh to fill.
Thou art wise, before Thee stand
Hidden things unveiled to Thee,
Countest up the grains of sand,
Fathomest the deepest sea,
And Thou knowest well how blind,
Dark and crooked is my mind;
Give me wisdom, in Thy light
Let me please my God aright.
Thou art holy, enterest in
Where pure hearts Thy coming wait,
But Thou fleest shame and sin,
Craft and falsehood Thou dost hate;
Wash me then, O Well of grace,
Every stain and spot efface,
Let me flee what Thou dost flee,
Grant me what Thou lov’st to see.
Thou art loving, hatest strife,
As a lamb of patient mood,
Calm through all our restless life,
E’en to sinners kind and good;
Grant me too this noble mind,
To be calm and true and kind,
Loving every friend or foe,
Grieving none whom Thou dost know.
Well contented is my heart,
If but Thou reject me not;
If but Thou wilt ne’er depart,
I am blest whate’er my lot;
Thine for ever make me now,
And to Thee, my Lord, I vow
Here and yonder to employ
Every power for Thee with joy.
Be my help when danger’s nigh,
When I sink hold Thou me up,
Be my life when I must die,
In the grave be Thou my hope;
Bring me when I rise again
To the land that knows no pain,
Where Thy followers from Thy stream
Drink for ever joys supreme.
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Author: Paul Gerhardt. Based on the Latin poem "Salve caput cruentatum"
By Bernard of Clairvaux, 1153. Translated into English by James Alexander.
O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory,
What bliss, till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.
Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
And flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish
That once was bright as morn!
Now from Thy cheeks has vanished
Their color, once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
The splendor that was there.
Grim Death, with cruel rigor,
Hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou has lost Thy vigor,
Thy strength, in this sad strife.
My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
Which brought this woe on thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
Wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!
[Alternate stanza:
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered
Was all for sinners' gain:
Mine, mine was the transgression,
But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, My Savior
'Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with favor,
Vouchsafe to me Thy grace.]
My Shepherd, now receive me;
My Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts divine!
Thy lips have often fed me
With words of truth and love,
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
To heavenly joys above.
Here I will stand beside Thee,
From Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish
In death's cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.
The joy can ne'er be spoken,
Above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of life, desiring
Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring,
I'd breathe my soul to Thee.
What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
Outlive my love for Thee.
My Savior, be Thou near me
When death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me,
Forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
Oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish
By virtue of Thine own!
Be Thou my Consolation,
My Shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!
Be Thou my Vision
Attributed to Dallan Forgaill
Translated from Irish to English by Mary E.Byrne, 1905
- 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.
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