Three months ago we began a three step journey through the words of a hymn written more than 1200 years ago. We examined the idea that God is our vision, our wisdom and our protector (buckler). Now, as we bring this old hymn to a close we’ll consider in detail the final two verses. But while we once sang our praise of His work in our lives, now as we ‘sing’ proclaim our loyalty! A two-lined statement that provides a pledge as to what we will do in regard to living for our God. Notice as we sing…

“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.”

If we don’t establish that God is first in our lives, our praise will be empty. If we haven’t established Him as the treasure of our hearts, how can we expect an inheritance. Jehovah God and Him alone should be first in our hearts, our lives. But how do you do that? What steps do you take to make Him, and Him only first in your heart? My admonish would be to consider what you think is most important in this life. What will you cherish and as treasure in life? If it’s not God and His word, you have something else that you are treasuring.

The fifth and final verse continues the praise and recognition of God’s reign in our hearts. Notice as we sing to the “High King of Heaven…”

“High King of heaven, when victory is won, May I reach heaven’s joy, O bright heaven’s sun! Heart of my heart, whatever be fall, still be my vision, O ruler of all.”

Concluding this hymn we make a declaration for our future. When life is over and we face judgment, we can have the confidence to know that the ‘victory is won.’ The joy of heaven and the ‘bright heaven’s sun’ reflect the words of John in Revelation 21, “And the city (heaven) has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and it’s lamp is the Lamb.” But consider the term ‘heart of my heart,’ what does that mean? Often used in poetry, this term is simply saying, ‘from the core of my heart.’ It’s a proclamation that my belief, my hope comes from the depths of my heart. Therefore we sing that no matter what happens in this life, God will always be my focus. And I know that in the core of my heart (heart of my heart) God will always be my life, my focus, my vision!

With this song having five verses, this will be a 3 part article. We began, we asked him to be our vision and our wisdom. Now, looking at the 3rd verse, we ask God to ‘be our buckler.’ What is a ‘buckler?’ Realizing this hymn dates back the 750 AD we recognize that terminology and verbiage have changed over the years. But by definition a buckler is simply a shield. We call on God to defend and protect us (the shield), but to also fight for us. The verse, with all the old English continues:

“Be Thou my buckler, my sword for the fight; Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower; Raise Thou me heav’nward, O power of my power.”

Perhaps we need to look no further than the words of the preacher as he writes in Proverbs 18 to see the basis for this verse. Or David as he pens the 61st Psalms. Both attest to the strength of the tower, and there we find God’s protection…

“For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.” and from Proverbs… “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and is safe.”

So often we missed what’s right in front of us because we don’t see the language of text the author had at his disposal as he wrote this songs/hymns of praise. Taking original English verse (King James) we can see King David’s wording that must have been an inspiration for this Irish Folk Hymn. Recorded are the words of David as it’s written in 2nd Samuel chapter 22… “The God of my rock, in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Savior; Thou savest me from violence…as for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried; He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him.”

We have sung and we have asked (per scripture) for God to be our vision, our wisdom and our protection…in part 3 we’ll conclude this hymn and see how the conclusion of this brings us to an appreciation and High King of Heaven.

It’s been some time since an article has graced this website, so without further delay (and thanks to my daughter), here is a look at the old hymn “Be Thou My Vision”. Notice the prayer this song offers and consider the thoughts that go into making sense of the message…

“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.”

We should see everyone and everything through God’s eyes. By that, we see how inter-woven He must be within our whole being. Each day we have thousands of thoughts, but He ought to be our focus every day. Better yet, He should be the BEST thought we have. Just thinking of Him should be the epitome of our day, no matter the time of day (Deuteronomy 11:18-23)! Making Christ the center of our lives will cast His light in the darkest of places. He is how we see.

“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 in Thee one.”

My wisdom and my true words. If His Word becomes our understanding, our wisdom, then the words we speak will flow with the Truth of His Word. I have never felt more longing & desire to be with, or closer to, my Father than I have in the past few months. It’s like an ache I have never experienced. My desire to be near Him and immersed into Him. To feel and know I will never be alone is an unimaginable comfort. A great Father, always faithful and true to His sons and daughters. Like the Father, Son & Holy Spirit are 3 in 1 (John 17:20-23), so we ought to dwell in Him.

Two more verse to this old hymn will be posted later in the week. Come back as Singing with the Spirit is on the verge of some exciting news!

On the 11th day of this 11th month, our nation will pause to remember and honor all those who have served this country. Recognizing this as Veterans Day, our nation owes a debt of gratitude to all those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces. From the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, we offer our tribute of thanks for protecting and defending these United States of America.

For years this ‘hymn’ has been known as the Naval Hymn, but for a moment consider the following verses and how they reflect a prayer for three of the services. We are thankful for all those who have served on the sea, on the land and in the air…

“Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid’st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain o’er which our traffic runs a’main
By mountain pass or valley low; wherever, Lord, our brethren go,
Protect them by Thy guarding hand from every peril on the Land.

O Spirit whom the Father sent to spread abroad the firmament;
O wind of heaven, by Thy might save all who dare the eagle’s flight,
And keep them by Thy watchful care from every peril in the air.

O Trinity of love and power, our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them, wheresoe’er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee glad praise from air and land and sea.”

Those who have lived or worked on a ranch know the job is long and hard. Branding cattle is more than just rope ’em, hold ’em, brand ’em, but it’s part of the process every rancher takes if he wants to maintain his herd. And the distinguishing ‘mark’ serves to show that there is an owner. Simply put, this animal belongs to someone.

But what could the idea of ‘a brand’ have on New Testament Christianity? As children of God, we belong to Him, we have been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:18-19). But if we belong to Him, if we have His ‘brand,’ does the world know it? When world looks at Christians…what do they see? If you aren’t wearing the brand of Christ, you’re wearing the brand of the world. But if you are proclaiming Chrisitianity there are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself; 1) does the world know Who you belong to and, 2) ‘How can I promote the “brand” of New Testament Christianity?’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15