Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#103

103. O Holy Ghost, descend, we pray

1 O Holy Ghost descend, we pray,
Abide with us from day to day,
Thy temple deign to make us!
Let Thy bright beams, thou heav'nly Light,
Dispel the darkness of our night,
To joy and gladness wake us;
That we
To Thee
Truly living,
To Thee giving
Pray'r unceasing,
Still may be in love increasing.

2 Give to Thy Word impressive power
That in our hearts, from this good hour,
As fire it may be glowing;
That we may Thee the Father, Son,
And Spirit, on one common throne,
Confess, Thy glory showing.
O stay
And sway
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 the Lord and bless our neighbor.

4 Direct us by Thy counsel still,
That we may understand Thy will;
We err unless Thou guide us.
O grant us constancy, that we
May ever faithful prove to Thee,
Whatever woes betide us.
Descend,
Defend
From all errors
And earth's terrors;
Be our healing,
Jesus' love and peace revealing.

5 Thy grace sustain, pervade our heart,
That we may act the valiant part
With Thee as our reliance;
Be Thou our Captain and our Shield,
That we may never quit the field,
But bid the foe defiance.
Heed us!
Speed us!
O'er us hover
As our Cover;
Thy Salvation
Be our constant consolation.

6 O mighty Rock, O source of Life,
Let Thy dear Word, 'mid doubt and strife,
Be so within us burning
That we be faithful unto death,
In Thy pure love and holy faith
From Thee true wisdom learning!
Thy fire
Inspire
Quick'ning savor,
That with favor
Our behavior
May confess Christ as our Savior.

7 O gentle Dew, from heav'n now fall
With power upon the hearts of all,
Thy tenderness instilling;
That heart to heart more closely bound,
Fruitful in kindly deeds be found,
The law of love fulfilling!
No ill
Shall fill
Hearts that love Thee
And approve Thee;
Where Thou livest,
Peace, good will, and joy Thou givest,

8 Grant that our days, while life shall last,
In humble holiness be passed;
Our minds fill with Thy leaven,
That they may rise o'er things of earth,
The hopes and joys that here have birth,
And live in joys of heaven.
Sustain,
Restrain
From offences
Hearts and senses;
Blessed Spirit!
Bid us thus true life inherit.

Text Information

• First Line: O Holy Ghost, descend, we pray
• Author: Michael Schirmer
• Meter: No. 45
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Church Year: Pentecost; Whitsunday; Fourth Sunday after Trinity
• Source: Tr. Composite, 1880
• Notes: From the German text: O Heil'ger Geist, kehr bein uns ein

Tune Information

• Name: NICOLAI (WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET DER MORGENSTERN)
• Composer: Philipp Nicolai (1599)
• Meter: No. 45
• Key: E♭ Major