Come O Come Thou Quickening Spirit
Come, O come, thou Quickening Spirit
The hymn emphasizes the Holy Spirit's essential role in Christian faith and transformation, reflecting Lutheran pneumatology grounded in Scripture. It expresses the Spirit's work in quickening the dead soul and enabling authentic confession of Christ.
History & Background
Martin Behm composed this German hymn in the early 17th century as a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit's vivifying power. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her 1863 collection, becoming standard in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 310
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 478
- Lutheran Worship — 165
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 226
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1610) shaped Lutheran hymnody with this prayer for the Spirit's vivifying work. The tune LIEBSTER JESU carries both penitential urgency and baroque grace, grounding pneumatology in lived worship.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel movement: it confesses our spiritual death and then pleads for the Spirit's quickening grace, making it a powerful companion to any sermon on regeneration, Pentecost, or the sacramental work of the Spirit in Word and Baptism.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Themes
Holy Spirit Illumination and grace Prayer for spiritual renewal Divine quickening