Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord is a hymn text. Found in CW21 585, CW93 176, ELH 2, elw 395. Sung to KOMM, HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 585
- Christian Worship — 176
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 2
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 395
- Lutheran Worship — 154
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Invocation of the Holy Spirit to restore humanity's fallen state (Adam's loss) through grace, warmth, light, and fire, culminating in eternal joy and transformed living
Background Research
Grew out of the 11th-c. Latin Pentecost antiphon 'Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium'. A German version of that first stanza appeared with the present tune at Ebersberg c. 1480; Luther kept it and added two stanzas (1524, Erfurt Enchiridion and Walter's choir book). Bach used it in cantatas BWV 172 and 59, the motet 'Der Geist hilft' BWV 226 (closing chorale) and the organ prelude BWV 651. Source: Wikipedia 'Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott'.
In the Church Year
Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Pentecost
Suggested in the one-year series
- Pentecost (7×)
- Trinity 13 (1×)
- Trinity 2 (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Pentecost (9×)
- Proper 20 (1×)
- Proper 9 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
Luther's Pentecost hymn expands a medieval German version of the antiphon 'Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium.' Stanza 1 is the older text; Luther added stanzas 2 and 3. It addresses the Spirit as Light and Fire and asks for his gifts: unity in faith (1), true knowledge of God through the Word (2), and strength to persevere (3). Each stanza ends with a double Hallelujah.
Central theme: The Holy Spirit gathering, enlightening, and strengthening the church through the Word
Structure
Three stanzas, each addressing the Spirit under one title (Lord, Light, Fire) and each requesting one gift.
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel prayer throughout; implicit Law in 'every error' (st. 2) and 'trials' (st. 3).
Confessional Connections
Mirrors Luther's explanation of the Third Article: the Spirit 'calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies' and keeps the church 'in the one true faith.' AC V: the Spirit works through Word and Sacrament.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Pentecost (Hymn of the Day); Confirmation; Ordination; opening of conventions, schools, or church gatherings.
Historical Notes
Published 1524 in Erfurt Enchiridion. The tune derives from the antiphon's medieval melody.
About the Tune
KOMM, HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT — long, melismatic lines ending in an extended Hallelujah.
Scripture References
Acts 2:1-11 Rom 5:5 Rom 8:15 John 16:13-14 Eph 4:3-6 Matt 3:11
Stanza by Stanza
A prayer for the Spirit, who is God and Lord, to pour out his graces and love on believers and to unite people of every land in one faith.
Calling the Spirit 'God and Lord' confesses his full divinity (Nicene Creed: 'the Lord and giver of life'). 'Be all Thy graces now outpoured' echoes Acts 2:17 and Rom 5:5 ('God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit'). The second half recalls Pentecost's many languages (Acts 2:5-11): the Spirit unites people 'of every land and every tongue' in one faith (Eph 4:4-6) — the reversal of Babel. This is the 'gathering' work of the Third Article.
- Scripture
- Acts 2:4-11, Acts 2:17, Rom 5:5, Eph 4:4-6, Rev 7:9
- Imagery & language
- Pouring out; brightness of light; many tongues.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — prayer for the Spirit's gifts.
- Connection to previous
- Opening invocation (the pre-Reformation stanza).
The Spirit, as holy Light, is asked to make the Word of life shine, teach us to know God rightly and call him Father, keep us from error, and keep Christ alone as our Master.
Luther's own stanza. The Spirit's illumination is tied firmly to 'the Word of Life' — Luther opposed enthusiasts who claimed the Spirit apart from the Word (SA III.8). 'Call Him Father with delight' quotes Rom 8:15 and Gal 4:6: the Spirit creates the trust of children. 'From every error keep us free' and 'Let none but Christ our Master be' (Matt 23:8-10) are both pastoral and polemical, guarding against false teachers. The Spirit always points to Christ (John 16:14).
- Scripture
- John 16:13-14, Rom 8:15-16, Gal 4:6, Ps 119:105, Matt 23:8-10
- Imagery & language
- Light, guide; Word shining.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — enlightenment through the Word.
- Connection to previous
- Moves from gathering to enlightening.
As holy Fire and true Comforter, the Spirit is asked to give will and power to serve, to remain steadfast in trials, and to bring believers through life and death to God.
Fire recalls Pentecost's tongues of fire (Acts 2:3) and John the Baptist's promise (Matt 3:11). 'Comfort true' names the Paraclete (John 14:16). The petitions are for sanctification and perseverance: the will to do God's work (Phil 2:13), strength in weakness (Rom 8:26), courage to contend (Eph 6:10-18). 'Through life and death to Thee… ascend' ends with the hope of glory. This matches the 'sanctifies and keeps' of the Catechism.
- Scripture
- Acts 2:3, Matt 3:11, John 14:16, Phil 2:13, Rom 8:26, Eph 6:10-13
- Imagery & language
- Fire; battle; ascent.
- Law / Gospel
- Sanctification and perseverance (Gospel-empowered).
- Connection to previous
- Completes the Third Article pattern: gather, enlighten, sanctify and keep.