Voices United ‎#317

317. I Bind unto Myself Today

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 cross of death for my salvation,
his bursting from the spicèd 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 star-lit 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,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.

5 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 Information

• First Line: I bind unto myself today
• Title: I Bind unto Myself Today
• Translator: Cecil Frances Alexander (1889)
• Author (attributed to): St. Patrick
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: God: The Triune God; Bible; Commitment; Consecration; Conversion; Covenant; Discipleship and Service; Faith; God: Name; Guidance; Heaven(s)/Paradise; Jesus Christ: Baptism; Jesus Christ: Friend; Jesus Christ: Presence; Love for God/Christ; Nature; Trinity; Trust; Venture

Tune Information

• Name: ST PATRICK
• Arranger: Charles Villiers Stanford (1902)
• Meter: Irregular
• Key: g minor
• Source: Ancient Irish hymn melody