Descend, O Holy Spirit, thou

1 Descend, O Holy Spirit, thou,
In sweet accord we wait for thee;
Our Babel stilled, new words impart
That echo thy divinity;
Love’s language by the heart expressed,
By heart received and Spirit blessèd.

2 O Sound of mighty, rushing wind,
Wake us, we pray, to larger life;
O Tongue of flame, come, purify
From all that genders inward strife,
The pulse of passion stir again,
Thy power within our lives remain.

3 Breathe in our souls, O Breath divine,
And sanctify what should’st be thine;
Since gain comes not except by lass,
Empower us to sustain our cross,
And, like thy Spirit, gladly given,
Lead men to truth and joy and Heaven.


Source: The Song Book of the Salvation Army #211