Lord God the Holy Ghost
Lord God, the Holy Ghost
This hymn emphasizes the Holy Spirit's transformative work in the believer, reflecting Luther's emphasis on the Spirit's role in faith and sanctification beyond justification alone. It expresses the Lutheran understanding of the Spirit's ongoing presence and power in sustaining and renewing Christian life.
History & Background
Martin Behm wrote this German hymn in the early 17th century as a prayer for the Holy Spirit's guidance in daily Christian life. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her 1863 collection and became the standard version in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 404
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 162
- Lutheran Service Book — 518
- Lutheran Worship — 163
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 227
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1557–1622), a German Lutheran pastor, penned this hymn in 1610 to express the Spirit's sanctifying work beyond justification—a distinctly Lutheran recovery of the Spirit's role in the believer's growth and perseverance.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens our understanding of justification by faith alone by proclaiming the Spirit's essential role in ongoing sanctification—the Gospel's power to transform and renew us throughout our Christian lives.
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 Sanctification Divine grace Christian living Indwelling of the Spirit