Part 15
4. Come, Holy Spirit, from above With Thy celestial fire; Come and with flames of zeal and love Our hearts and tongues inspire! Be this our day of Pentecost, The coming of the Holy Ghost!
Thomas Cotterill, 1819.
255
C. M.
Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers; Kindle a flame of sacred love In these cold hearts of ours.
2. See how we grovel here below, Fond of these earthly toys; Our souls, how heavily they go To reach eternal joys!
3. In vain we tune our formal songs, In vain we strive to rise; Hosannas languish on our tongues, And our devotion dies.
4. Dear Lord, and shall we ever live At this poor, dying rate— Our love so cold, so faint to Thee, And Thine to us so great?
5. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers, Come, shed abroad a Savior’s love, And that shall kindle ours.
Isaac Watts, 1709.
256
6, 5, 6, 5
Holy Spirit, hear us On this sacred day; Come to us with blessing, Come with us to stay.
2. Come as once Thou camest To the faithful few, Patiently awaiting Jesus’ promise true.
3. Up to heaven ascending, Our dear Lord has gone; Yet His little children Leaves He not alone.
4. To His blessed promise Now in faith we cling. Comforter, most holy! Spread o’er us Thy wing.
5. Lighten Thou our darkness, Be Thyself our Light; Strengthen Thou our weakness, Spirit of all might.
6. Spirit of adoption, Make us overflow With Thy sevenfold blessing And in grace to grow.
7. Into Christ baptizèd Grant that we may be, Day and night, dear Spirit, Perfected by Thee!
J. Mohr, 1818; C. F. Hernamann, tr.
257
7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 8
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord! Be all Thy graces now outpoured On each believer’s mind and heart; Thy fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of Thy light Thou in the faith dost men unite Of every tongue and every nation; We, therefore, sing with exultation: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
2. Thou holy Light, Guide Divine, O cause the Word of Life to shine; Teach us to know our God aright And call Him Father with delight. From error, Lord, our souls defend That they on Christ alone attend, In Him with living faith abiding, In Him with all their might confiding. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
3. Thou holy Fire, Source of rest, Grant that, with joy and hope possest, We always in Thy service stay And trouble drive us not away. Lord, by Thy power prepare each heart, To our weak nature strength impart That firmly here we be contending, Through life and death to Thee ascending. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
From the Latin _Veni, Sancte Spiritus_; Martin Luther, 1524.
258
S. M.
Come, Holy Spirit, come! Let Thy bright beams arise; Dispel the sorrow from our minds, The darkness from our eyes.
2. Revive our drooping faith, Our doubts and fears remove, And kindle in our breasts the flame Of never-dying love.
3. Convince us of our sin, Then lead to Jesus’ blood, And to our wondering view reveal The mercies of our God.
4. ’Tis Thine to cleanse the heart, To sanctify the soul, To pour fresh life on every part, And new-create the whole.
5. Dwell, therefore, in our hearts; Our minds from bondage free; Then shall we know and praise and love The Father, Son, and Thee.
Joseph Hart, 1759.
259
7s
Holy Ghost, with light divine Shine upon this heart of mine; Chase the shades of night away, Turn the darkness into day.
2. Let me see my Savior’s face, Let me all His beauties trace; Show those glorious truths to me Which are only known to Thee.
3. Holy Ghost, with power divine Cleanse this guilty heart of mine; In Thy mercy pity me, From sin’s bondage set me free.
4. Holy Ghost, with joy divine Cheer this saddened heart of mine; Yield a sacred, settled peace, Let it grow and still increase.
5. Holy Spirit, all divine, Dwell within this heart of mine; Cast down every idol-throne, Reign supreme and reign alone.
6. See, to Thee I yield my heart, Shed Thy life through every part; A pure temple I would be, Wholly dedicate to Thee.
Andrew Reed, 1817.
260
9, 9, 11, 10, 4
Now do we pray God the Holy Ghost For the true faith which we need the most And that He defend us when life is ending And from exile home we shall be wending. Lord, have mercy!
2. Shine in our hearts, O most precious Light, That we Jesus Christ may know aright, Clinging to our Savior, whose blood has bought us, Who again to our true home has brought us. Lord, have mercy!
3. Thou sweetest Love, grace on us bestow, Set our hearts with heavenly fire aglow, That with hearts united we love each other, Of one mind, in peace with every brother. Lord, have mercy!
4. Thou highest Comfort in every need! Grant that neither shame nor death we heed, That e’en then our courage may never fail us When at last th’ Accuser shall assail us. Lord, have mercy!
Martin Luther, 1524; Stanza 1, 13th century.
TRINITY.
261
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7
All glory be to God on high, Who hath our race befriended! To us no harm shall now come nigh, The strife at last is ended; God showeth His good will to men, And peace shall reign on earth again; O thank Him for His goodness!
2. We praise, we worship Thee, we trust, And give Thee thanks forever, O Father, that Thy rule is just And wise and changes never. Thy boundless power o’er all things reigns, Done is whate’er Thy will ordains: Well for us that Thou rulest!
3. O Jesus Christ, Thou only Son Of God, Thy heavenly Father, Who didst for all our sins atone And the lost sheep dost gather: Thou Lamb of God, to Thee on high, From out our depths, we sinners cry, Have mercy on us, Jesus!
4. O Holy Ghost, Thou precious Gift, Thou Comforter unfailing, O’er Satan’s snares our souls uplift And let Thy power availing Avert our woes and calm our dread; For us the Savior’s blood was shed, We trust in Thee to save us.
N. Decius, 1526; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
262
6, 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 4
Come, Thou almighty King, Help us Thy name to sing, Help us to praise! Father all glorious, O’er all victorious, Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days.
2. Jesus, our Lord, arise, Scatter our enemies, And make them fall. Let Thine almighty aid Our sure defense be made; Our souls on Thee be stayed; Lord, hear our call!
3. Come, Thou incarnate Word, Gird on Thy mighty sword, Our prayer attend; Come and Thy people bless And give Thy Word success; Spirit of Holiness, On us descend.
4. Come, holy Comforter, Thy sacred witness bear In this glad hour. Thou, who almighty art, Now rule in every heart, And ne’er from us depart, Spirit of Power!
5. To the great One in Three The highest praises be, Hence, evermore! His sovereign majesty May we in glory see And to eternity Love and adore!
Charles Wesley, 1757.
263
11, 12, 12, 10
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea, Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.
3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see, Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Reginald Heber, 1827.
264
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7
The mystery hidden from the eyes Of learned men and sages, God hath revealed us from the skies, In Scripture’s holy pages, That He alone is King above All other gods whatever, Great, mighty, faithful, full of love, His people’s Shield and Savior; One Essence, but Three Persons.
2. As Father, Son, and Holy Ghost The righteous seed adore Him; So named, so praised, He is the boast Of all who bow before Him; He’s Abraham’s and Isaac’s God, And Jacob’s, whom He knoweth, The Lord of hosts, who every good, Both night and day, bestoweth; Who only worketh wonders.
3. The Father hath the Son begot, First-born of every creature; The Son took our weak flesh, but not Our sinfulness of nature; Both from the Father and the Son The Holy Ghost proceedeth From all eternity; yet none In might and power exceedeth; All equal, coeternal.
4. Be glad, my heart, thy Portion see, Thy priceless Pearl and Treasure! He is thy Friend, supply will He Thy needs with bounteous measure; He made thee in His image, was For thy offenses smitten, With true faith fill thee, through His grace Doth all thy crosses sweeten With His dear word of promise.
5. Rise, then, to Him, the Ever-blest, And learn to know Him rightly; Such knowledge can alone bring rest And make thy soul burn brightly With the pure flame of holy love, Which cheers thy course to heaven; For God will show thee things above Which here ’tis only given To hear of and see darkly.
6. But woe to the ungodly race, In wilful blindness living, Rejecting God and His dear grace, Their hearts to creatures giving. On them, alas! hell’s dreadful gates Ere long will close forever; For him who God rejects and hates God will reject and sever From His eternal kingdom.
7. O Prince of Might, Thy mercy show, Thou God of earth and heaven; To every sinner here below Thy saving grace be given! Bring back Thy sheep that go astray And blinded eyes enlighten, And turn Thou everything away That wickedly might frighten Thine own, whose faith is feeble.
8. Grant this, that we, Thy people, may All reach the heavenly portals And in Thy kingdom sing for aye Mid all the blest immortals: That Thou, O Lord, art King alone, Above all gods whatever, The Father, Son, and Spirit, One, Thy people’s Shield and Savior, One Essence, but Three Persons!
Paul Gerhardt, 1666.
265
8, 8, 8, 6
God of my life, Thy boundless grace Chose, pardoned, and adopted me; My Rest, my Home, my Dwelling-place: Father, I come to Thee.
2. Jesus, my Hope, my Rock, my Shield, Whose precious blood was shed for me, Into Thy hands my soul I yield: Savior, I come to Thee.
3. Spirit of glory and of God, Long hast Thou deigned my Guide to be; Now be Thy comfort sweet bestowed: My God, I come to Thee.
4. I come to join that countless host Who praise Thy name unceasingly; Blest Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, My God, I come to Thee.
Charlotte Elliott, 1841.
266
L. M.
Thou who art Three in unity, True God from all eternity, The sun is fading from our sight, Shine Thou on us with heavenly light.
2. We praise Thee with the dawning day, To Thee at even also pray; With our poor song we worship Thee Now, ever, and eternally.
3. Let God the Father be adored, And God the Son, the only Lord, And God the Holy Spirit be Adored throughout eternity!
From the Latin of St. Ambrose; M. Luther, 1543; R. Massie, tr.
267
C. M.
Father of glory, to Thy name Immortal praise we give, Who dost an act of grace proclaim And bid us rebels live.
2. Immortal honor to the Son, Who makes Thine anger cease; Our lives He ransomed with His own And died to make our peace.
3. To Thine almighty Spirit be Immortal glory given, Whose teachings bring us near to Thee And train us up for heaven.
4. Let men with their united voice Adore th’ eternal God And spread His honors and their joys Through nations far abroad.
5. Let faith and love and duty join One grateful song to raise; Let saints in earth and heaven combine In harmony and praise.
Isaac Watts, c. 1721.
268
8, 7, 8, 7, 4, 7
Glory be to God the Father, Glory be to God the Son, Glory be to God the Spirit; Great Jehovah, Three in One! Glory, glory, While eternal ages run!
2. Glory be to Him who loved us, Washed us from each spot and stain; Glory be to Him who bought us, Made us kings with Him to reign! Glory, glory, To the Lamb that once was slain!
3. Glory to the King of angels, Glory to the Church’s King, Glory to the King of nations; Heaven and earth, your praises bring! Glory, glory, To the King of Glory bring!
4. Glory, blessing, praise eternal! Thus the choir of angels sings; Honor, riches, power, dominion! Thus its praise creation brings; Glory, glory, Glory to the King of kings!
H. Bonar, 1866.
269
L. M.
Father of heav’n, whose love profound A ransom for our souls has found, Before Thy throne we sinners bend; To us Thy pardoning love extend.
2. Almighty Son, Incarnate Word, Our Prophet, Priest, Redeemer, Lord, Before Thy throne we sinners bend; To us Thy saving grace extend.
3. Eternal Spirit, by whose breath The soul is raised from sin and death, Before Thy throne we sinners bend; To us Thy quickening power extend.
4. Jehovah, Father, Spirit, Son, Eternal Godhead, Three in One, Before Thy throne we sinners bend; Grace, pardon, life, to us extend.
E. Cooper, 1805.
270
S. M.
Father, in whom we live, In whom we are and move, All glory, power, and praise receive For Thy creating love.
2. O Thou Incarnate Word, Let all Thy ransomed race Unite in thanks, with one accord, For Thy redeeming grace.
3. Spirit of Holiness, Let all Thy saints adore Thy sacred gifts and join to bless Thy heart-renewing power.
4. Eternal Triune Lord, Let all the hosts above, Let all the sons of men record, And dwell upon, Thy love.
Charles Wesley, 1746.
271
7s 14 l
God the Father, be our Stay When hell’s dread powers assail us; Cleanse us from our sins, we pray, Nor in our last hour fail us. Keep us from the Evil One, Firm in the faith abiding, In Christ, our Savior, hiding, And heartily confiding. Let us put God’s armor on: With all true Christians running Our heavenly race and shunning The devil’s wiles and cunning. Amen, Amen, this be done, So sing we, Hallelujah!
2. Jesus Christ, be Thou our Stay When hell’s dread powers assail us; Cleanse us from our sins, we pray, Nor in our last hour fail us. Keep us from the Evil One, Firm in the faith abiding, In Christ, our Savior, hiding, And heartily confiding. Let us put God’s armor on: With all true Christians running Our heavenly race and shunning The devil’s wiles and cunning. Amen, Amen, this be done, So sing we, Hallelujah!
3. Holy Ghost, be Thou our Stay When hell’s dread powers assail us; Cleanse us from our sins, we pray, Nor in our last hour fail us. Keep us from the Evil One, Firm in the faith abiding, In Christ, our Savior, hiding, And heartily confiding. Let us put God’s armor on: With all true Christians running Our heavenly race and shunning The devil’s wiles and cunning. Amen, Amen, this be done, So sing we, Hallelujah!
Adapted by Martin Luther, 1524, from 15th Cent. Litany.
272
6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6
The Lord, my God, be praised, My Light, my Life from heaven; My Maker, who to me Hath soul and body given; My Father, who protects My life from infancy And mighty gifts of love Hath e’er bestowed on me.
2. The Lord, my God, be praised, My Trust, my Life from heaven, The Father’s own dear Son, Whose life for me was given; Who thus atoned for me With His most precious blood; Who giveth to my faith The greatest heavenly good.
3. The Lord, my God, be praised, My Hope, my Life from heaven, The Father’s Spirit, whom The Son to me hath given; He who revives my heart And gives me strength and power, Help, comfort, and support In sorrow’s gloomy hour.
4. The Lord, my God, be praised, He who forever liveth, To whom the heavenly host E’er praise and honor giveth. The Lord, my God, be praised, In whose great name I boast, God Father, God the Son, And God the Holy Ghost.
5. To Him we now sing praise, With joy our offering bringing And with the angel host The “Holy! Holy!” singing. To Him all Christendom Sings praises joyfully; The Lord, my God, be praised Throughout eternity!
J. Olearius, 1671; A. Crull, tr.
REFORMATION.
273
8, 7, 8, 7, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7
A Mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty Shield and Weapon; He helps us free from every need That hath us now o’ertaken. The old evil Foe Now means deadly woe; Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight, On earth is not his equal.
2. With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is, Of Sabaoth Lord, And there’s none other God, He holds the field forever.
3. Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill, They shall not overpower us. This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none, He’s judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.
4. The Word they still shall let remain And not a thank have for it; He’s by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit. And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife: Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won; The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Martin Luther, 1527.
274
L. M.
Lord, keep us in Thy Word and work, Restrain the murderous Pope and Turk, Who fain would tear from off Thy throne Christ Jesus, Thy beloved Son.
2. Lord Jesus Christ, Thy power make known, For Thou art Lord of lords alone; Shield Thy poor Christendom that we May evermore sing praise to Thee.
3. Thou Comforter of priceless worth, Give one mind to Thy flock on earth, Stand by us in our final strife, And lead us out of death to life.
4. Destroy their counsels, Lord, our God, And smite them with an iron rod, And let them fall into the snare Which for Thy Christians they prepare,
5. So that at last they may perceive That, Lord, our God, Thou still dost live And dost deliver mightily All those who put their trust in Thee.
Martin Luther, 1541; Stanzas 4 and 5, J. Jonas, 1544.
275
L. M.
Thine honor rescue, Christ, our Lord! Hear Zion’s sighs and help afford; Destroy the wiles of mighty foes, Who now Thy Word and truth oppose.
2. Their craft and vaunting pomp is great; High beat their hearts, with power elate; Our dearest hopes they but deride, They deem us nothing in their pride.
3. Forgive, O Lord, our sins forgive, Grant us Thy grace and let us live; Convince Thy foes throughout the land That godless counsels shall not stand.
4. Preserve Thy little flock in peace, Nor let Thy boundless mercy cease; Let it to all the world appear That Thy true Church indeed is here.
5. That Thou art with us loud proclaim, Who put’st our enemies to shame, Dost all their haughtiness suppress And help Thine own in their distress.
J. Heermann, 1630; M. Loy, tr., a.
276
8, 8, 6, 8, 8, 6
Fear not, O little flock, the Foe Who madly seeks your overthrow; Dread not his rage and power: What though your courage sometimes faints, His seeming triumph o’er God’s saints Lasts but a little hour.
2. Be of good cheer; your cause belongs To Him who can avenge your wrongs; Leave it to Him, our Lord. Though hidden yet from mortal eyes, His Gideon shall for you arise, Uphold you and His Word.
3. As true as God’s own Word is true, Not earth nor hell with all their crew Against us shall prevail. A jest and byword are they grown; God is with us, we are His own; Our victory cannot fail.
4. Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer! Great Captain, now Thine arm make bare, Fight for us once again! So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise A mighty chorus to Thy praise, World without end. Amen.
J. M. Altenburg, † 1640; C. Winkworth, tr., 1855, a.
277
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7
The mouth of fools doth God confess, But while their lips draw nigh Him, Their heart is full of wickedness, And all their deeds deny Him. Corrupt are they, and every one Abominable works hath done; There is not one well-doer.
2. The Lord looked from His heavenly throne On all mankind below Him To see if there were any one Who truly sought to know Him, And all his understanding bent To search His holy Word, intent To do His will in earnest.
3. But none there was who walked with God, For all aside had slidden, Delusive paths of folly trod, And followed lusts forbidden; Not one there was who practised good, Though many deemed, in haughty mood, Their deeds to God were pleasing.
4. “How long, by folly blindly led, Will they oppress the needy And My own flock devour like bread?” So fierce are they and greedy! In God they put no trust at all, Nor on His name in trouble call, But be their own providers.
5. Therefore their heart is never still, A constant fear dismays them, God is with him who doth His will, Who trusts Him and obeys Him; Ye shame the counsel of the poor And mock him when he doth assure That God is e’er his Refuge.
6. Who shall to Israel’s outcast race From Zion bring salvation? God will Himself at length show grace And loose the captive nation; That will He do by Christ, their King; Let Jacob then be glad and sing And Israel be joyful.
Ps. 14. Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr.
278
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7
O God, from heaven look down and see, A sight which well may move Thee: Of godly men, how few there be; Forsaken we who love Thee! Withheld is Thy pure Word, the light Of faith itself extinguished quite In all the sons of Adam.
2. Fictions they teach with cunning art And lies of man’s invention; Not grounded on God’s Word, their heart Breeds naught but strange dissension; One chooses this, another that, Untold division they create Though saintlike in appearance.
3. May God root out all heresy And of false teachers rid us, Who proudly say: “Now, where is he Who would our speech forbid us! We have the right and might alone, And what we say must stand, we own None as our lord and master.”