Holy Spirit, Mighty God

Author: Calvin Seerveld

Calvin Seerveld (b. 1930) was professor of aesthetics at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto from 1972 until he retired in 1995. Educated at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; the University of Michigan; and the Free University of Amsterdam (Ph.D.), he also studied at Basel University in Switzerland, the University of Rome, and the University of Heidelberg. Seerveld began his career by teaching at Bellhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi (1958-1959), and at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois (1959-1972). A fine Christian scholar, fluent in various biblical and modern languages, he is published widely in aesthetics, biblical studies, and philosophy. His books include Take Hold of God and Pull (1966), The Gr… Go to person page >

Scripture References:
all st. = 1 Cor. 2:13

Written by Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) in 1983, "Holy Spirit, Mighty God" was first published in the 1987 Psalter Hymnal. The all unrhymed text is a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to help us hear the Word (st. 1), to move us to live the Christian life in deeds of love (st. 2), and to grant us the shalom of communion with God (st. 3). Each stanza ends with a request for wisdom.

Liturgical Use:
As a prayer for illumination; during Pentecost; whenever Christian worship focuses on obedience, comfort, wisdom, or other evidence of the Spirit's presence.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook