Awake Thou Spirit Who Didst Fire
Awake, thou Spirit, who didst fire
Awake Thou Spirit Who Didst Fire is a hymn text by Nicolai Grundtvig (1837) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Peer Strömberg. Found in lbw 382, lw 315, tlh 494. Sung to KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS.
This hymn celebrates the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in the Church, connecting Pentecost to contemporary Christian witness and faithful proclamation. It reflects Lutheran pneumatology that views the Spirit as active in Word and Sacrament for empowering the Church's mission.
History & Background
Written by Nicolai Grundtvig in 1837, this hymn draws from the Pentecost narrative and early apostolic witness. The Danish original 'Vågn op, du Ånd, som gjorde' reflects Grundtvig's deep commitment to spiritual renewal and the living word in the Church.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 382
- Lutheran Worship — 315
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 494
Translation
Bulletin Note
Grundtvig (1783–1872), Danish theologian-hymnist, wrote this in 1837 to celebrate the Spirit's perpetual empowering of the Church. It reflects his "matchless days" vision: the Spirit active in Word and common life.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies Lutheran pneumatology: the Spirit's grace at Pentecost liberates believers to courageous witness, connecting the Gospel gift to our responsive calling in mission and Word-proclamation.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Proclamation of Christ's Church as eternally founded on the Rock (Matthew 16:18), immovable amid historical upheaval, sustained by grace rather than human institutions, demanding faithful living in confidence of salvation
Overview
A mission hymn by Carl Heinrich von Bogatzky, a Silesian nobleman associated with Halle Pietism and author of the devotional classic Golden Treasury. It asks the Spirit who fired the 'watchmen' of the early Church — the apostles and martyrs who bore witness through persecution — to awaken again (st. 1); presents the Church's prayer, as Christ taught, from every land (st. 2); asks God to send bold preachers armed with the Word to reclaim the earth (st. 3); and prays that the Word run swiftly through every land until the nations know it and fill his churches (st. 4).
Central theme: Prayer for the Spirit to send bold preachers so that God's Word may run through all nations
Structure
Four six-line stanzas (9.8.9.8.8.8). The first witnesses (1) — the Church's prayer (2) — send preachers (3) — the Word's course (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel/mission: the Word's power to bring the nations. 'The rule of wrong' and the Foe are named (1, 3).
Confessional Connections
2 Thess 3:1 (TLH's text): 'pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored.' Mission is the Spirit's work through the Word (AC V; Isa 55:11). The preachers are 'armed with Thy Word' — the only weapon (Eph 6:17; 2 Cor 10:4). SC Second Petition: 'that… His kingdom… may come to us also' — and through the Word to all. 'The prayer Thy Son hath bid us pray' (st. 2) — the Lord's Prayer and Matt 9:38.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Missions; Pentecost season; ordination; Reformation.
Historical Notes
Bogatzky (1690-1774) lived much of his later life at the Halle Orphanage; the hymn dates from 1750.
About the Tune
TLH: ALL' EHR' UND LOB (Kirchengesangbuch, Strassburg, 1541). Both index rows list DIR, DIR, JEHOVA (LW).
Scripture References
2 Thess 3:1 Ezek 33:7 Isa 62:6 Acts 1:8 Acts 4:29-31 Rev 12:11 Matt 9:37-38 Luke 11:2 Rom 10:14-15 Eph 6:17 2 Cor 10:4-5 Ps 2:8 Isa 55:10-11 Acts 12:24 Hab 2:14 Matt 6:10
Stanza by Stanza
Awake, Spirit who set on fire the watchmen of the Church's youth, who faced the enemy's poisonous rage and bore witness to your truth day and night, whose voices still ring loudly and bring multitudes to know your will.
Watchmen (Ezek 33:7; Isa 62:6) — the apostles and early witnesses empowered at Pentecost (Acts 1:8; 4:29-31). They conquered 'by the word of their testimony' (Rev 12:11). Their voices 'still ring' in the Scriptures and the Church's preaching.
- Scripture
- Ezek 33:7, Isa 62:6, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:29-31, Rev 12:11
- Imagery & language
- Watchmen; envenomed ire; ringing voices.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit's witnesses.
- Connection to previous
- First witnesses.
Lord, hear our earnest prayer, the prayer your Son told us to pray; for look, your children's hearts are stirred in every land today to cry to you with fervent souls: help us, Lord! Let it be so!
The prayer Christ commanded: 'pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest' (Matt 9:38) and 'Thy kingdom come' (Luke 11:2). 'So let it be' — Amen (SC Conclusion).
- Scripture
- Matt 9:37-38, Luke 11:2, Rom 10:1
- Imagery & language
- Earnest prayer; every land.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — prayer for mission.
- Connection to previous
- The Church prays.
Hurry to help before we are lost! Send out preachers strong in spirit, armed with your Word, a fearless army bold to attack the rule of wrong; let them reclaim the earth for you as your inheritance, to know your name.
'How are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?' (Rom 10:14-15). The sword of the Spirit is the Word (Eph 6:17); weapons 'not of the flesh' (2 Cor 10:4-5). The nations as Christ's heritage (Ps 2:8).
- Scripture
- Rom 10:14-15, Eph 6:17, 2 Cor 10:4-5, Ps 2:8
- Imagery & language
- Preachers; armed with the Word; heritage.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — sending preachers.
- Connection to previous
- Send preachers.
Let your Word run swiftly and be glorified through every land, until all the nations know its power and fill your churches far and wide. Spread the conquest of your Word and let your kingdom come, dear Lord!
2 Thess 3:1. 'My word… shall not return to me empty' (Isa 55:11). 'The word of God increased and multiplied' (Acts 12:24). 'The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD' (Hab 2:14).
- Scripture
- 2 Thess 3:1, Isa 55:10-11, Acts 12:24, Hab 2:14, Matt 6:10
- Imagery & language
- Speedy course; conquest of the Word.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word's victory.
- Connection to previous
- The Word's course.
Themes
Holy Spirit Apostolic faith Witnessing Boldness in proclamation Church history