1. O Holy Spirit, enter in
And in our hearts Thy work begin,
Thy temple deign to make us;
Sun of the soul, Thou Light Divine,
Around and in us brightly shine,
To joy and gladness wake us.
That we, In Thee
Truly living, To Thee giving
Prayer unceasing,
May in love be still increasing.
2. Give to thy Word impressive power
That in our hearts, from this good hour,
As fire it may be glowing;
That we confess the Father, Son,
And Thee, the Spirit, Three in One,
Thy glory ever showing.
Stay Thou, Sway now
Our souls ever That they never
May forsake Thee,
But by faith their Refuge make Thee.
3. Thou fountain whence all wisdom flows
Which God on pious hearts bestows,
Grant us Thy consolation
That in our pure faith's unity
We faithful witnesses may be
Of grace that brings salvation.
Hear us, Cheer us
By Thy teaching; Let our preaching
And our labor
Praise Thee, Lord, and serve our neighbor.
4. Left to ourselves, we shall but stray;
Oh, lead us on the narrow way,
With wisest counsel guide us
And give us steadfastness that we
May ever faithful prove to Thee
Whatever woes betide us.
Come, Friend, And mend
Hearts now broken, Give a token
Thou art near us,
Whom we trust to light and cheer us.
5. Thy heavenly strength sustain our heart
That we may act the valiant part
With Thee as our Reliance,
Be Thou our Refuge and our Shield
That we may never quit the field,
But bid all foes defiance.
Descend, Defend
From all errors and earth's terrors;
Thy salvation
Be our constant consolation.
6. O mighty Rock, O Source of Life,
Let Thy dear Word, mid doubt and strife,
Be strong within us burning
That we be faithful unto death,
In Thy pure love and holy faith,
From Thee true wisdom learning.
Thy grace And peace
On us shower; By Thy power
Christ confessing,
Let us win our Savior's blessing.
7. O gentle Dew, from heaven now fall
With power upon the hearts of all,
Thy tender love instilling,
That heart to heart more closely bound,
In kindly deeds be fruitful found,
The law of love fulfilling;
Dwell thus In us.
Envy banish; Strife will vanish
Where Thou livest.
Peace and love and joy Thou givest.
8. Grant that our days, while life shall last,
In purest holiness be passed,
Be Thou our Strength and Tower.
From sinful lust and vanity
And from dead works set Thou us free
In every evil hour.
Keep Thou Pure now
From offenses Heart and senses;
Blessed Spirit!
Let us heavenly life inherit.
Hymn #235 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
Text: Is. 11:2
Author: Michael Schirmer, 1640, alt.
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Titled: "O Heil'ger Geist, kehr bei uns ein"
Tune: "Wie schoen leuchtet"
Composer: Philipp Nicolai, 1599