St. Patrick‘s Breastplate–a hymn written by the Saint–This beautiful prayer is supposed to have been composed by Saint Patrick in anticipation of the victory over Paganism.  It is also known as the “The Lorica of Patirck”, and “The Deer’s Cry”. 

I bind unto myself today–The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity,  I believe the Trinity in the Unity.  The Creator of the Universe.  

I bind to myself today–The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,  The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,   The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension, The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind unto myself today–The virtue of the  love of the seraphim,  In the obedience of angels,  In the hope of resurrection unto reward,  In prayers of Patriarchs, In predictions of Prophets,   In preaching of Apostles,  In faith of Confessors,  In purity of holy Virgins,  In deed of righteous men. 

I bind unto myself today–The power of Heaven,  The light of the sun,  The brightness of the moon,  The splendour of fire,  the flashing of lightning,  The swiftness of wind,  The depth of sea,  The stability of earth,  The compactness of rocks.  

I bind unto myself today–God‘s Power to guide me,  God’s Might to uphold me,  God’s Wisdom to teach me,  God’s Eye to watch over me,  God’s Ear to hear me,  God’s Word to give me speech,  God’s hand to guide me,  God’s Way to lie before me,  God’s Shield to shelter me,  God’s Host to secure me,  Against the snares of demons,  Against the seductions of vices,  Against the lusts of nature,  Against everyone who meditates injury to me,  Whether far or near,  Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues–Against every hostile merciless power–Which may assail my body and my soul,  Against the incantations of false prophets,  Against the black laws of heathenism,  Against the false laws of heresy,  Against the deceits of idolatry,  Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,  Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today–  Against every poison, against burning,  Against drowning,  Against death-wound,  That I may recieve abundant reward.

Christ with me,  Christ before me,  Christ behind me,  Christ within me,  Christ beneath me,  Christ above me,  Christ at my right,  Christ at my left,  Christ in the fort,  Christ in the chariot seat,  Christ in the poop,  Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,  Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,  Christ in every eye that sees me,  Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today–The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,  I believe the Trinity in the Unity–The Creator of the Universe.

I have really enjoyed writing out these hymns and really reading the words.  So often we only learn the first verse, but, when you continue to read the entire song it is amazing the thought, love and spirit that has been poured into them.  I hope you enjoy reading them.

Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright-Round yon virgin mother and Child, Holy Infant, so tender and mild-  Sleep in Heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy Night! Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven a far, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia-Christ the Savior is born!  Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night! Holy night!  Son of God, love’s pure light-Radiant beams from Thy holy face-With the dawn of redeeming grace-Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus Lord at thy birth.

By: John Alfred Hultman (1861-1942)

Thanks, O God, for boundless mercy, From Thy gracious throne above; Thanks for every need provided, From the fullness of thy love!  Thanks for daily toil and labor, and for the rest when shadows fall; Thanks for love of friend and neighbor, And thy goodness unto all!

Thanks for thorns as well as roses, Thanks for weakness and for health; Thanks for clouds as well as sunshine, Thanks for poverty and wealth!  Thanks for pain as well as pleasure–All Thou sendest day by day; And Thy Word, our dearest treasure, Shedding light upon our way.

Thanks, O God, for home and fireside, Where we share our daily bread; Thanks for hours of sweet communion, When by Thee our souls are fed! Thanks for grace in time of sorrow, And for joy and peace in Thee; Thanks for hope today, tomorrow, And for all eternity!

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By: George J. Elvey (1816-1893)

 Come, ye thankful people, come–Raise the song of harvest-home: All is safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin. God, our maker, doth provide, For our wants to be supplied: come to God’s own temple, come-Raise the song of harvest-home.

All the world is God’s own field; Fruit unto His praise to yield: Wheat and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown. f]First the blade and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear: Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God own field, And shall take His harvest home: from his field shall in that day, All offenses purge away–Give His angels charge at last, In the fire the tares to cast, But the fruitful ears to store, In His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come to Thy final harvest-home; Gather Thou Thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin; There, forever purified, In Thy presence to abide; Come, with all Thine angels, com-Raise the glorious harvest home.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;  The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;  I love Thee, Lord Jesus!  look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;  Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry – Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry – Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged – Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful – Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness – Take it to the Lord in prayer,

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge – Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?  Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He;ll take and shield thee-  Thou wilt find a solace there.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His Wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

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Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross!  Life high His royal banner– It must not suffer loss.   From victory unto victory His army shall he lead, Till every foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey!  Forth to the mighty conflict  In this His glorious day.  Ye that are men now serve Him Against unnumbered foes; Let courage rise with danger And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Stand in His strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you– Ye dare not trust your own, Put on the gospel armor, Each piece put on with prayer; Where duty calls or danger, Be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The strife will not be long; This day the noise of battle– The next, the victors song.  To Him that overcometh  A crown of life shall be;  He with the King of glory  Shall reign eternally.

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Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  A-men

My hope is built on nothing less–Than Jesus‘ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand–All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In ev’ry high and stormy gale-My anchor hold within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand–All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood–Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my ground gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand–All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found, Dressed in His righteousness alone, Fautless to stand before the throne.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand–All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

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I love you Lord,  and I lift my voice;

To worship you, Oh my soul–rejoice;

Take joy my king, in what you hear;

May it be a sweet, sweet sound, in your ear.

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Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father! There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassion they fail not:  Thou has been -forever will Be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!  Morning by morning new mercies I see;  All I have needed Thy hand hath provided–Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,  Join with all nature in manifold witness - To Thy faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!  Morning by morning new mercies I see;  All I have needed Thy hand hath provided–Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow-blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!  Morning by norming new mercies I see;  All I have needed Thy hand hath provided–Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

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