Scripture References:
st. 1 = Gen. 1:2, 2 Pet. 1:21
st. 2 = Matt. 3:16, Matt. 4:1, Mark 1:10, 12, Luke 3:22; 4:1, John 1:32-33
st. 3 = John 20:22

With John Stainer's ALL FOR JESUS tune in mind, John Richards (b. Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, 1939) wrote this text in 1978. It was published in Cry Hosanna (1980) in ten four-line stanzas. The original stanzas 1 and 2, 4 and 5, and 8 and 10 are included in three eight-line stanzas.

Like 416, this text is a biblical study of the ministry of the Holy Spirit: in creation and inspiration (st. 1), in the life of Christ and his people (st. 2), and in the church (st. 3). Although the emphasis is on the work of the Spirit, the text clearly recognizes that the Spirit always points to Christ.

Richards received his education at St. John's College in Durham, Emmanuel College in Cambridge, England, and Queen's College in Birmingham, England. Having served as the curate at several parishes in southern England and as a school chaplain, he is currently the director of Renewal Services, a parachurch organization. Richards has published several books, including Exorcism, Deliverance and Healing (1976) and The Church’s Healing Ministry (1986).

Liturgical Use:
Pentecost (entire hymn); other times of the church year–stanzas 1 and 3 as a sung prayer for illumination or as response to the sermon, stanza 3b as a doxology.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook