O Holy Spirit, Come, We Pray

Representative Text

1 O Holy Spirit, come, we pray,
And give us light to guide us on the way
And, in times most trying,
Help us not to waver;
Keep us from denying
Jesus Christ our Savior.
Hear our prayer, O Lord!

2 O Holy Spirit, blessed Light,
Come, teach us Jesus Christ to know aright,
That to Him we render
Praise and adoration
For His mercy tender,
For His free salvation.
Hear our prayer, O Lord!

3 O Holy Spirit, come to move
Our hearts to Christian fellowship and love,
That, in peace and gladness,
Brother walks with brother,
Spreading joy for sadness,
Loving each the other.
Hear our prayer, O Lord!

4 O Holy Spirit, cheer our hearts,
As mother comfort to her child imparts,
Till our sorrows vanish
Thro' Thy love eternal,
Till our cares we banish
Thro' Thy blessings vernal.
Hear our prayer, O Lord!

5 O Holy Spirit, come to prove
That we possess our heav'nly Father's love;
Then our faith grows stronger,
Then our hope we treasure;
Death shall rule no longer,
Heaven holds our pleasure.
Hear our prayer, O Lord!

Source: American Lutheran Hymnal #467

Author: Martin Luther

Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >

Translator (English): P. C. Paulsen

Paul Christian Paulsen was born on March 26, 1881, in Alstrup, Jutland, Denmark. He emigrated to America in 1904, was ordained in 1911, and served as a Lutheran pastor in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, and Alberta, Canada. He died on July 26, 1948. NN, Hymnary Go to person page >

Translator (Danish): N. F. S. Grundtvig

Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig was the son of a pastor, and was born at Udby, in Seeland, in 1783. He studied in the University of Copenhagen from 1800-1805; and, like some other eminent men, did not greatly distinguish himself; his mind was too active and his imagination too versatile to bear the restraint of the academic course. After leaving the university he took to teaching; first in Langeland, then (1808) in Copenhagen. Here he devoted his attention to poetry, literature, and Northern antiquities. In 1810 he became assistant to his father in a parish in Jutland. The sermon he preached at his ordination, on the subject "Why has the Lord's word disappeared from His house," attracted much attention, which is rarely the case with "pro… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O Holy Spirit come we pray
Title: O Holy Spirit, Come, We Pray
Danish Title: Nu bede vi den Helligaand
Translator (Danish): N. F. S. Grundtvig
Translator (English): P. C. Paulsen
Author: Martin Luther
Meter: 8.10.6.6.6.6.5
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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Instances

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Hymnal for Church and Home #122

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Hymnal for Church and Home (2nd ed.) #122

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American Lutheran Hymnal #467

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