Come, Oh, Come, Thou Quickening Spirit - #226

"Come, Oh, Come, Thou Quickening Spirit"
by Heinrich Held, 1620 ca.-1659
Translated by Charles W. Schaeffer, 1813-1896

1. Come, oh, come, Thou quickening Spirit,
God from all eternity!
May Thy power never fail us;
Dwell within us constantly.
Then shall truth and life and light
Banish all the gloom of night.

2. Grant our hearts in fullest measure
Wisdom, counsel, purity,
That they ever may be seeking
Only that which pleaseth Thee.
Let Thy knowledge spread and grow,
Working error's overthrow.

3. Show us, Lord, the path of blessing;
When we trespass on our way,
Cast, O Lord, our sins behind Thee
And be with us day by day.
Should we stray, O Lord, recall;
Work repentance when we fall.

4. With our spirit bear Thou witness
That we are the sons of God
Who rely upon Him solely
When we pass beneath the rod;
For we know, as children should,
That the cross is for our good.

5. Prompt us, Lord, to come before Him
With a childlike heart to pray;
Sigh in us, O Holy Spirit,
When we know not what to say.
Then our prayer is not in vain,
And our faith new strength shall gain.

6. If our soul can find no comfort
And despondency grows strong
That the heart cries out in anguish:
"O my God, how long, how long?"
Comfort then the aching breast,
Grant us courage, patience, rest.

7. Holy Spirit, strong and mighty.
Thou who makest all things new,
Make Thy work within us perfect
And the evil Foe subdue.
Grant us weapons for the strife
And with victory crown our life.

8. Guard, O God, our faith forever;
Let not Satan, death, or shame
Ever part us from our Savior;
Lord our Refuge is Thy name.
Though our flesh cry ever: Nay!
Be Thy Word to us still Yea!

9. And when life's frail thread is breaking.
Then assure us more and more,
As the heirs of life unending,
Of the glory there in store,
Glory never yet expressed,
Glory of the saints at rest.

Hymn #226
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Rom. 8:15
Author: Heinrich Held, c. 1664
Translated by: Charles W. Schaeffer, 1866, alt.
Titled: "Komm, o komm, du Geist des Lebens"
Composer: J. Christoph Bach, 1680
Tune: "Komm, o komm, du Geist"