Blest are the Pure in Heart

Words: J Keble (1792-1866) & others Music: W H Havergal (1793-1870)

Blest are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God;
The secret of the Lord is theirs,
Their soul is Christ’s abode. 

The Lord, who left the heavens
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in lowliness with men,
Their pattern and their King; 

Still to the lowly soul
He doth Himself impart,
And for His dwelling and His throne
Chooseth the pure in heart. 

Lord, we thy presence seek;
May ours this blessing be;
Give us a pure and lowly heart,
A temple meet for thee.

About This Hymn

Blest Are the Pure in Heart takes its central idea from one of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” That gives the hymn a simple message of faith which doesn’t need much explaining.

For someone who went to church throughout their life, this may already be a familiar hymn. It can be sung together during a Christian funeral, giving friends and family a chance to take part in the service. The words are gentle and traditional, without being too heavy for the occasion.

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