Come Holy Ghost in Love
Come Holy Ghost in love
Come Holy Ghost in Love is a hymn text by Samuel Longfellow (1864) in 7.7.7.7 meter. Found in tlh 227. Sung to MENDON.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of sanctification through the Holy Spirit's work of renewing the human heart and transforming the believer into the image of Christ. It emphasizes the cooperation between divine grace and human receptiveness in the Christian life.
History & Background
Written by American Unitarian poet Samuel Longfellow in 1864, this hymn has been adopted into Lutheran hymnals despite its non-Lutheran origin. It appeared in The Hymnal (1864) and was included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) where it gained wider Lutheran circulation.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 227
Bulletin Note
Written by American Unitarian hymnologist Samuel Longfellow in 1864, this hymn reflects classical Pentecost theology while emphasizing the intimate, loving work of the Spirit in renewing the believer's heart toward holiness.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran doctrine of sanctification: the Spirit's grace works within our receptive hearts to create the new life that the Law demands but cannot produce.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law: Recognition of God's transcendent majesty and human dependence; Gospel: God's intimate presence, sustaining grace, and redemptive love transforming human existence
Overview
Ray Palmer's free paraphrase of the 'Golden Sequence,' the Pentecost sequence Veni, Sancte Spiritus (attributed to Stephen Langton or Innocent III). Come, shedding your bright ray and gifts (st. 1); tenderest Friend and Guest, rest for the weary, shade in the heat, peace in grief (st. 2); Light filling our inmost hearts (st. 3); exalt desires, heal wounds, bend stubborn spirits, warm the cold, guide straying steps (st. 4); bless the faithful, give a victorious death and eternal joy (st. 5). Palmer is the author of 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee.'
Central theme: The Spirit as Light, Guest and Comforter who heals, bends and warms the heart and brings it to eternal joy
Structure
Five seven-line stanzas (6.6.4.6.6.6.4) following the sequence's movement: gifts — consolation — light — healing — reward.
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'low desires,' 'passion's fires,' 'stubborn spirits,' 'icy coldness,' 'devious steps' (4). Gospel: Light, rest, healing, victorious death, eternal joy.
Confessional Connections
Ezek 36:26 (TLH's text; CCEL read 'Exek.'): 'I will remove the heart of stone… and give you a heart of flesh.' St. 4 lists the corruption of the will the Spirit must overcome — 'stubborn spirits,' 'icy coldness' (FC II.7, 'the unregenerate will… is hostile'); the Spirit bends and heals, we do not cooperate in conversion (FC II.59ff). St. 5, 'virtue's rich reward' — Lutherans understand rewards as gracious promises, not merit (Ap IV.194-196). 'Victorious death' — a blessed end (LC Seventh Petition).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Pentecost (sequence hymn); Holy Spirit; ordination.
Historical Notes
The Latin sequence dates from c. 1200, attributed to Stephen Langton. Palmer (1808-1887), American Congregationalist, made this paraphrase in 1858.
About the Tune
ITALIAN HYMN (Felice de Giardini, 1769) — the 'Come, Thou Almighty King' tune.
Scripture References
Ezek 36:26 John 14:16-17 Jas 1:17 Matt 11:28 Isa 25:4 John 14:27 2 Cor 4:6 Ps 147:3 Ezek 11:19 Ps 119:176 Rom 8:14 1 Cor 15:57 Matt 25:21
Stanza by Stanza
Come, Holy Ghost, in love; shed your own bright ray on us from above. You are divinely good; give your sacred gifts to gladden every sad heart. Come today!
Veni, Sancte Spiritus, et emitte caelitus lucis tuae radium. 'Every good gift… is from above' (Jas 1:17). The gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:4-11).
- Scripture
- Jas 1:17, 1 Cor 12:4-11, Ezek 36:26
- Imagery & language
- Bright ray; sacred gifts; sad hearts.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit's gifts.
- Connection to previous
- Come.
Come, tenderest and best Friend, our most delightful Guest, with soothing power: the rest the weary know, shade in the noonday heat, peace when deep griefs overflow — cheer us this hour.
Consolator optime, dulcis hospes animae. 'Another Helper… he dwells with you' (John 14:16-17). 'Come to me… I will give you rest' (Matt 11:28). 'A shade from the heat' (Isa 25:4).
- Scripture
- John 14:16-17, Matt 11:28, Isa 25:4, John 14:27
- Imagery & language
- Friend; Guest; rest; shade; peace.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Comforter.
- Connection to previous
- Comforter.
Come, serene and quiet Light, fill our inmost hearts and dwell in each of us. We know no dawn but yours; send out your divine beams to shine on our dark souls and make us blessed.
O lux beatissima, reple cordis intima. 'God… has shone in our hearts' (2 Cor 4:6). Without the Spirit we are in darkness (FC II.10).
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 4:6, Eph 5:8, 1 Cor 2:14
- Imagery & language
- Light; inmost hearts; dark souls.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — illumination.
- Connection to previous
- Light.
Lift our low desires, put out the fires of passion, heal every wound. Bend our stubborn spirits, end our icy coldness, guide our wandering steps while we travel toward heaven.
Lava quod est sordidum… flecte quod est rigidum, fove quod est frigidum, rege quod est devium. 'He heals the brokenhearted' (Ps 147:3). 'I will take the stony heart out' (Ezek 11:19). 'I have gone astray like a lost sheep' (Ps 119:176).
- Scripture
- Ps 147:3, Ezek 11:19, Ps 119:176, Rom 8:14
- Imagery & language
- Low desires; stubborn; icy; devious steps.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the unrenewed heart; Gospel — the Spirit's healing.
- Connection to previous
- Heal and bend.
Come and bless all the faithful; let all who confess Christ spend themselves in his praise. Give the rich reward of virtue, grant a victorious death and, with our glorious Lord, eternal joy.
Da virtutis meritum, da salutis exitum, da perenne gaudium. 'Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory' (1 Cor 15:57). 'Enter into the joy of your master' (Matt 25:21). Rewards are of grace (Ap IV).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 15:57, Matt 25:21, Rom 6:23
- Imagery & language
- Faithful; reward; victorious death; eternal joy.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — a blessed end and joy.
- Connection to previous
- Eternal joy.
Themes
Holy Spirit Renewal of heart Sanctification Divine transformation