Come Holy Spirit Come
Come, Holy Spirit, come
Come Holy Spirit Come is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Unknown English translator. Found in tlh 225.
The hymn embodies Lutheran pneumatology by invoking the Spirit's transformative work in creating clean hearts and renewing steadfast spirits in believers. It connects personal spiritual renewal to the objective work of the Holy Spirit as confessed in the Augsburg Confession.
History & Background
This hymn exists in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 225, with German origins in Lutheran pietistic tradition. The exact authorship and initial publication date remain uncertain, though it appears in various German hymnals from the 19th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 225
Translation
Bulletin Note
From early 19th-century Lutheran tradition, this hymn pairs profound theology with the sturdy German tune KOMM HEILIGER GEIST, invoking the Spirit's work of renewal—a cornerstone of Reformation faith in the third article of the Creed.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes Lutheran pneumatology by moving from the Law's exposure of our corrupted hearts to the Gospel's promise of the Spirit's renewing power, making it a fitting musical response to proclamation of both judgment and grace.
Overview
Joseph Hart's Pentecost prayer, organized almost exactly along the Spirit's work as Lutherans teach it. Come and dispel sorrow and darkness (st. 1); revive faith and kindle love (st. 2); convince us of sin, then lead us to Jesus' blood and show God's mercies (st. 3) — Law, then Gospel; cleanse, sanctify and new-create us (st. 4); dwell in us so that we know and love the Father, Son and Spirit (st. 5).
Central theme: The Spirit's work: convicting of sin, leading to Christ's blood, sanctifying, and bringing us to know the Triune God
Structure
Five short-meter quatrains. Light (1) — faith and love (2) — Law and Gospel (3) — new creation (4) — indwelling and Trinity (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Explicitly ordered: 'Convince us of our sin, / Then lead to Jesus' blood' (3).
Confessional Connections
Ps 51:10-12 (TLH's text): 'Create in me a clean heart… take not your Holy Spirit from me.' St. 3 is the Spirit's twofold office in a couplet: he 'will convict the world concerning sin' (John 16:8) and 'glorify me' (16:14) — the alien work of the Law driving to the proper work of the Gospel (FC V.10-12; Ap XII.53). St. 4: renewal is the Spirit's work, not ours (FC II.25-26; Titus 3:5). St. 5: knowing 'the Father, Son, and Thee' is the Spirit's gift — 'no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit' (1 Cor 12:3; SC Third Article).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Pentecost; ordinations; beginning of services; confirmation.
Historical Notes
Hart (1712-1768), London Independent minister after a dramatic conversion, published it in Hymns Composed on Various Subjects (1759).
About the Tune
BOYLSTON (Lowell Mason, 1832).
Scripture References
Ps 51:10-12 John 16:8 John 16:13-14 2 Cor 4:6 Mark 9:24 Rom 5:5 1 John 1:7 Titus 3:5 2 Cor 5:17 1 Thess 5:23 Ezek 36:26 1 Cor 3:16 Rom 8:15 1 Cor 12:3
Stanza by Stanza
Come, Holy Spirit, come! Let your bright beams rise; drive sorrow from our minds and darkness from our eyes.
'God… has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ' (2 Cor 4:6). 'Restore to me the joy of your salvation' (Ps 51:12).
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 4:6, Ps 51:12, Eph 1:17-18
- Imagery & language
- Bright beams; sorrow; darkness.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — illumination.
- Connection to previous
- Light.
Revive our drooping faith, remove our doubts and fears, and kindle in our hearts the flame of never-dying love.
'I believe; help my unbelief!' (Mark 9:24). 'God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit' (Rom 5:5). Love never ends (1 Cor 13:8).
- Scripture
- Mark 9:24, Rom 5:5, 1 Cor 13:8
- Imagery & language
- Drooping faith; doubts; flame of love.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — faith and love given.
- Connection to previous
- Faith and love.
Convict us of our sin, then lead us to Jesus' blood, and reveal to our wondering eyes the mercies of our God.
'He will convict the world concerning sin' (John 16:8); 'He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you' (John 16:14). 'The blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin' (1 John 1:7). Law then Gospel (FC V).
- Scripture
- John 16:8, John 16:13-14, 1 John 1:7
- Imagery & language
- Sin convinced; Jesus' blood; mercies.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — conviction; Gospel — the blood.
- Connection to previous
- Law then Gospel.
It is your work to cleanse the heart, sanctify the soul, pour fresh life into every part and create the whole person anew.
'The washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit' (Titus 3:5). 'If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation' (2 Cor 5:17). 'Sanctify you completely' (1 Thess 5:23). 'A new heart… a new spirit' (Ezek 36:26).
- Scripture
- Titus 3:5, 2 Cor 5:17, 1 Thess 5:23, Ezek 36:26
- Imagery & language
- Cleanse; sanctify; new-create.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — regeneration and sanctification.
- Connection to previous
- New creation.
So dwell in our hearts; free our minds from bondage; then we will know, praise and love the Father, the Son and you.
'Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you' (1 Cor 6:19; 3:16). 'You did not receive the spirit of slavery… but… adoption' (Rom 8:15). 'No one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit' (1 Cor 12:3).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 3:16, Rom 8:15, 1 Cor 12:3, 2 Cor 3:17
- Imagery & language
- Indwelling; freedom; Father, Son, Spirit.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — knowledge of the Triune God.
- Connection to previous
- Indwelling.
Themes
Holy Spirit Sanctification Renewal Invocation Christian life