What does this line mean? (Full Version)

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ta_mosquito -> What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 12:18:48 PM)

We sang "Be Thou My Vision" last Sunday. The first verse has a line which has always puzzled me. I can't figure out what it means. [&:]

What does "Naught be all else to me save that Thou art" mean in plain English?



Consecrated2God -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 12:20:31 PM)

It means, "Everything else in the world is nothing to me. The only thing that is important to me is that You exist."



ta_mosquito -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 12:22:55 PM)

I suppose fitting that into one line of the hymn was too much, huh? [;)]

So it's like, "All else to me is nothing, except that You exist"?



karlie -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 12:24:00 PM)

That is one of my all time favorite hymns.

My take on it is that "be thou my vision" means that we seek after only him. He and he alone is what we are striving towards and looking towards.

"Naught be all else to me save that Thou art" I always took to mean that may everything else in our life be as nothing compared to what He is to us.

I could be wrong, but that's how I have always interpreted those lines.



ta_mosquito -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 12:25:15 PM)

Yeah, I like the hymn, too, except for the line I couldn't interpret. [8D]

Thanks, ladies!

So... where do we take this thread now? LOL!



karlie -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 12:35:17 PM)

quote:

So... where do we take this thread now? LOL!

That I couldn't say! But, if you want to hear a wonderful version of that song, listen to 4Him's recording. The harmonies give me chills. It's very powerful.



Liveloved -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 12:50:33 PM)

Yeah, this is one of my favorite hymns too and you've done a good job of 'splaining it.[:)]

I think our attitude needs to be like Tricia's---the desire to understand and enter into the language of the writer. Instead of the attitude that says, I want to sing it in my words.

I love the language these writers of hymns and books used. And I consider it a privilege to learn and use it for edification, to increase in my knowledge and understanding and come closer to their experience of the Lord. And as I draw closer through their words, their experience, I come closer to Him too.

So bless you, Tricia, for asking. That shows humility. . . ie, I don't know what this means. But I WANT TO KNOW! Oh, what a godly attitude and action we need to emulate![:)]



URForgiven -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 12:54:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito

Yeah, I like the hymn, too, except for the line I couldn't interpret. [8D]

Thanks, ladies!

So... where do we take this thread now? LOL!



I am a man, but do not hold that against me. [8|]

I think you can take "Be Thou My Vision" literally also. We need to use Christ's eyes to see...not the visible, but the spiritual. How many are seeing not through the eyes of Christ, but through the eyes of dead men?

Are not many of the disputes that separate those in the Body of Christ, brought about because we are looking through the eyes of Augustine, or Luther, or Calvin, or Arminius, or Westley? These men are all dead...but Christ is alive!

When we look through the eyes of dead men, it clouds everything we see. But when we look through the eyes of our living Lord and Savior, then we see spiritual truth more clearly.

Just a thought...

Peace



karlie -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 1:02:05 PM)

quote:

the desire to understand and enter into the language of the writer. Instead of the attitude that says, I want to sing it in my words.

I'm a singer, so lyrics are huge to me. I never sing anything that I don't usually end up dissecting if the meaning isn't clear. Singing, especially worship, is an emotional experience, so knowing what you are singing enhances what it does for you, I think.



ta_mosquito -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 2:35:35 PM)

quote:

I think our attitude needs to be like Tricia's---the desire to understand and enter into the language of the writer. Instead of the attitude that says, I want to sing it in my words.


Hmmm. I DO want to sing it in my words, LOL! I would rather sing songs that I understand upon first reading than ones I have to research. [;)]

URForgiven - the "ladies" comment was because that was all that had posted so far. You and other men are certainly welcome to add your input!



BerianAardvark -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 2:50:10 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito

We sang "Be Thou My Vision" last Sunday. The first verse has a line which has always puzzled me. I can't figure out what it means. [&:]

What does "Naught be all else to me save that Thou art" mean in plain English?


One of my top favorite hymns.

The fact that God is (meaning He is what He says He is, and does what He says He will do) is sufficient.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

That is my take anyway.

Tim



Liveloved -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 4:34:23 PM)

quote:

Hmmm. I DO want to sing it in my words, LOL! I would rather sing songs that I understand upon first reading than ones I have to research.


But you're the better for seeking out the meaning, Tricia. So I'll keep believing the best of you. . . OK?[:)]



ta_mosquito -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 6:58:05 PM)

Hey, no problem - I like when people believe the best of me. [:D]



colliefan -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 9:35:59 PM)

There is a line in "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" that says "here I raise my Ebenezer"; too many think that this means the character in the Christmas Carol. But it referes to our victory flag. It is in Him that victory is won.

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the One I love
Here's my heart Lord
Take and seal it
Seal it for thy courts above.



BerianAardvark -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 10:25:02 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: colliefan

There is a line in "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" that says "here I raise my Ebenezer"; too many think that this means the character in the Christmas Carol. But it referes to our victory flag. It is in Him that victory is won.

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the One I love
Here's my heart Lord
Take and seal it
Seal it for thy courts above.


אבן העזר 'eben hâ‛êzer BDB Definition: Ebenezer = “stone of help”
1) memorial stone erected by Samuel to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines - north of Jerusalem

Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."
(1 Samuel 7:12)


You are probably thinking of יהוה נסּי yehôvâh nissîy BDB Definition: Jehovah-nissi = “Jehovah is my banner”
1) the name given by Moses to the altar which he built in commemoration of the discomfiture of the Amalekites

And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord is my Banner; (Exodus 17:15)

(BDB= Brown Driver Briggs a Biblical Hebrew English dictionary)


Tim



ta_mosquito -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/1/2008 11:22:51 PM)

Yeah, that one has an asterisk and footnote in our hymnal. [;)]



pstrdebi -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/2/2008 1:07:13 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito

So... where do we take this thread now? LOL!


Well... songs we don't or didn't understand seems like fun!

I shared one earlier with the OP... this is another one I always had trouble with as a kid and my big sister (my spiritual mom) would always smack me and my nefew when we would start giggling. At 10 you couldn't help but giggle when the song talked about being naked.[:)]
And we always thought it was talking about a guy named Cliff.[:D]

Rock of ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in thee
Let the water and the blood
From thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath and make me pure

Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to thy cross I cling
Naked come to Thee for grace
Helpless look to Thee for grace
Vile I to the fountain fly
Wash me Savior or I die



SonInMe1 -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/2/2008 2:33:04 AM)

Maybe there is a NIV version?



makarizo -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/2/2008 7:20:58 AM)

the 2nd verse in "come thou fount"
Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

sang it for years, never had a clue what it meant.
what does raising one's ebenezer' mean?



BerianAardvark -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/2/2008 8:36:21 AM)

quote:

what does raising one's ebenezer' mean?


אבן העזר 'eben hâ‛êzer Ebenezer = “stone of help” after the memorial stone erected by Samuel to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines - north of Jerusalem

Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and he called the name of it Ebenezer [stone of help], saying, Heretofore the Lord has helped us. (1 Samuel 7:12)

(or look to post 15 )

Tim



pstrdebi -> RE: What does this line mean? (7/2/2008 1:16:08 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

Maybe there is a NIV version?


HA!!![:D]



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