I Bind Unto Myself Today (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 450)
1 I bind unto myself today
the strong name of the Trinity
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One and One in Three.
2 I bind this day to me forever,
by power of faith, Christ’s incarnation,
his baptism in the Jordan river,
his death on cross for my salvation,
his bursting from the spiced tomb,
his riding up the heavenly way,
his coming at the day of doom,
I bind unto myself today.
3 I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven,
the glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea
around the old eternal rocks.
4 I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
God’s eye to watch, God’s might to stay,
God’s ear to hearken to my need,
the wisdom of my God to teach,
God’s hand to guide, God’s shield to ward,
the word of God to give me speech,
God’s heavenly host to be my guard.
5 Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
6 I bind unto myself the name,
the strong name of the Trinity
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One and One in Three,
of whom all nature has creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation;
salvation is of Christ the Lord!
Text: Patrick, paraphrase Cecil Frances Alexander; Music: Irish; Public Domain
Devotion
This hymn is attributed to St. Patrick of Ireland, 372-466 CE. If you are like me, you have never sung this hymn—ever—and it may be the only hymn in Evangelical Lutheran Worship with an Irish tune. The words are rooted in ancient Celtic Christian thought and faith. Celtic Christians bound themselves to God for their joy, their peace, their safety, and for protection while on a journey. They bound themselves to the epiphany of God in the life, death, resurrection, and return of Christ (vs 2). They bound themselves to the epiphany of God in the glory of the heavens, the earth, and the seas (vs 3). Daily repetition of their binding to Christ Jesus made him a reality in their lives. Daily they were alert to the starlit heavens, the sun’s life-giving rays, and old eternal rocks. These made God’s presence real. Can we be as alert as these ancient believers?
Prayer
Gracious God, your epiphanies abound each and every day. Lift our hearts through your revelation in the life, death, resurrection, and promise of Christ’s return. Lift our hearts through your revelation of your presence in the creation that surrounds us. Amen.