Breathe on Me Breath of God
Breathe on me, Breath of God
This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of sanctification through the work of the Holy Spirit, reflecting the belief that believers are continually renewed and transformed by God's grace. The text emphasizes the Spirit's role in creating faith, producing fruits of righteousness, and enabling loving obedience.
History & Background
Written by English theologian Edwin Hatch in 1878, this hymn was first published in The Congregational Hymn and Tune Book. It became widely adopted across Protestant denominations and has remained a standard prayer-hymn for invocation of the Holy Spirit.
The text is a prayer for renewal by God’s Spirit (like Ps. 51:10-12), Scripture References a renewal that is to be expressed in a life of love (st. 1), in purity st. 1 =Ezek. 36:27 of heart and will (st. 2), and in an intimacy with God that heralds st. 1-3 = Joel 2:28 the perfection of eternal life (st. 3). In both Hebrew and Greek John 20:22 the word for “spirit” is the same as “wind/air/breath”; thus in this text the Spirit of God is referred to as “Breath of God.” Intended as a hymn for ordination, this text by Edwin Hatch (b. Derby, England, 1835; d. Oxford, England, 1889) was privately printed in 1878 and then published in Henry Allon’s The Congregational Psalmist Hymnalvn 1886. Hatch evidently had a simple and childlike faith; that description fits this text as well. 579 THE PSALMS, BIBLE SONGS, AND HYMNS Hatch grew up in a Non-conformist home, was educated at Pembroke College, Oxford, England, and ordained in the Church of England in 1859. A teacher of classics and church history, he taught at Trinity College, Toronto, Canada (1859-1862), and at a high school in Quebec City (1862-1867). In 1867 he returned to Oxford, where he served the academic world with great distinction, particularly as a specialist on early Christian history. His few hymn texts were published posthumously in Towards Fields of Light (1890).
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 260
- Chalice Hymnal — 254
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 803
- Glory to God — 286
- The Hymnal 1982 — 508
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 488
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 747
- Lutheran Worship — 431
- New Century Hymnal — 292
- Psalter Hymnal — 420
- Trinity Hymnal — 334
- United Methodist Hymnal — 420
- Voices Together — 478
Liturgical Use
Pentecost; as a prayer for renewal; ordination and other commissioning services; profession of faith.
Bulletin Note
Written by Anglican hymnist Edwin Hatch in 1878, this Pentecostal prayer reflects the classical doctrine of sanctification—the Spirit's ongoing work to transform believers into the likeness of Christ through Word, faith, and love.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's promise of continuous renewal through the Spirit—a counterpoint to any sermon on the Law's exposure of our spiritual poverty, and a testimony to grace that does not condemn but empowers.
Themes
Holy Spirit Sanctification Spiritual renewal Divine empowerment Discipleship