O Holy Spirit, Enter In
O Holy Spirit, enter in
O Holy Spirit, Enter In is a hymn text by Philipp Friedrich Böhm (1661) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Martin H. Behm. Found in CW21 590, CW93 184, ELH 27, elw 786. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.
The hymn emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as sanctifier and guide of believers, central to Lutheran understanding of Christian living after justification. It reflects the Orthodox Lutheran emphasis on the Spirit's work in transforming the believer into a living temple of God.
History & Background
Written by Philipp Friedrich Böhm in 1661 as part of a German hymnal contribution during the Baroque era. The hymn was translated into English by Martin H. Behm in 1927 and has since become a standard Pentecost hymn in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 590
- Christian Worship — 184
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 27
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 786
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 459
- Lutheran Service Book — 913
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 235
- Lutheran Worship — 160
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 235
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Philipp Friedrich Böhm in 1661, this German hymn embodies Orthodox Lutheran piety, emphasizing the Spirit's role in making believers living temples. Its simple elegance and theological depth made it a staple of Lutheran devotion.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the Gospel's promise of justification by faith by focusing on the Spirit's sanctifying work—how God's grace doesn't end at conversion but continues reshaping the believer into Christ's likeness through the Spirit's daily indwelling and renewal.
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
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Pentecost (6×)
- Trinity 18 (3×)
- Trinity 8 (3×)
- Easter 7 (1×)
- Trinity 4 (1×)
- Trinity 5 (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Proper 10 (2×)
- Pentecost (1×)
- Proper 21 (1×)
- St. Barnabas (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
A long Pentecost prayer to the Holy Spirit by Michael Schirmer, a Berlin teacher and pastor during the Thirty Years' War. Each stanza addresses the Spirit under a new image — Sun and Light (1), giver of the Word's power (2), fountain of wisdom (3), Friend and guide (4), strength and shield (5), Rock and Source of life (6), gentle Dew (7), Strength and Tower (8) — and asks for a corresponding gift. It is a comprehensive hymn on the Spirit's work: indwelling, Word, confession, witness, guidance, steadfastness, love, and holiness.
Central theme: The Holy Spirit's work in the church through the Word: faith, confession, love, steadfastness, and holiness
Structure
Eight stanzas, each a different title for the Spirit and a petition. Notice the Word in st. 2, 3, and 6.
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel prayer; human weakness ('Left to ourselves, we shall but stray') confessed in st. 4.
Confessional Connections
Third Article (Small Catechism): calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, keeps. AC V: the Spirit works through the Word. St. 3: works serve the neighbor.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Pentecost; Confirmation; Ordination; beginning of school year or council meetings.
Historical Notes
Schirmer (1606-1673) suffered war, plague, and the death of his wife and children; published 1640.
About the Tune
WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET (Philipp Nicolai, 1599) — the 'Queen of Chorales'; its intricate end-rhymes are reflected in the text's short internal rhymes.
Scripture References
Isa 11:2 1 Cor 3:16 John 16:13-14 Acts 1:8 Gal 5:22-23 Rom 8:26 Eph 6:10-17 Hos 14:5 1 Pet 1:15
Stanza by Stanza
The Spirit is asked to come in, begin his work in our hearts, make us his temple, shine as Sun and Light of the soul, wake us to joy, so that living in him we may pray constantly and grow in love.
The Spirit's indwelling: 'Thy temple deign to make us' (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19). 'Sun of the soul, Thou Light Divine' — illumination (Eph 1:17-18). 'In our hearts Thy work begin' — the Spirit initiates faith (1 Cor 12:3; Phil 1:6). The results: true life in the Spirit (Gal 5:25), unceasing prayer (1 Thess 5:17; Rom 8:26), and growing love (Phil 1:9). The stanza summarizes the Spirit's whole work.
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 3:16, 1 Cor 6:19, Phil 1:6, Eph 1:17-18, Gal 5:25, Rom 8:26, 1 Thess 5:17, Phil 1:9
- Imagery & language
- Temple; sun; light.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit's indwelling.
- Connection to previous
- Opening invocation.
The Spirit is asked to give the Word power to burn in our hearts, so that we confess the Father, Son, and Spirit and show God's glory; may he rule our souls so that we never forsake him but make him our refuge by faith.
A strongly Lutheran stanza: the Spirit works through the Word (AC V; SA III.8). The Word 'as fire' (Jer 23:29; Luke 24:32). The result is confession of the Trinity — true faith confesses the true God (Rom 10:9-10). 'That they never / May forsake Thee' — perseverance, a gift prayed for. 'By faith their Refuge make Thee' — faith is trust that takes refuge (Ps 46:1).
- Scripture
- Jer 23:29, Luke 24:32, Rom 10:9-10, 17, 1 Pet 1:5, Ps 46:1
- Imagery & language
- Fire in the heart; refuge.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word's power.
- Connection to previous
- From indwelling to the Word.
The Spirit, source of all wisdom given to the faithful, is asked to comfort us so that in pure, united faith we witness to saving grace; may our preaching and work praise him and serve our neighbor.
The Spirit of wisdom (Isa 11:2; Eph 1:17). 'Pure faith's unity' — doctrinal unity (Eph 4:3-6, 13). The church's task is witness to 'grace that brings salvation' (Titus 2:11; Acts 1:8). The last lines are a fine summary of Lutheran vocation: 'our preaching / And our labor' — both the ministry of the Word and daily work — 'Praise Thee, Lord, and serve our neighbor.' Good works serve the neighbor, not God's favor.
- Scripture
- Isa 11:2, Eph 1:17, Eph 4:3-6, 13, Titus 2:11, Acts 1:8, Gal 5:13
- Imagery & language
- Fountain of wisdom; witness.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — witness and vocation.
- Connection to previous
- From personal faith to public witness.
Without the Spirit we wander; he is asked to lead us on the narrow way, guide us wisely, give steadfastness in suffering; as Friend, mend broken hearts and assure us of his nearness.
A clear confession of the bondage of the will: 'Left to ourselves, we shall but stray' (Isa 53:6; FC II). The narrow way (Matt 7:14). 'Steadfastness… whatever woes betide' — perseverance under suffering. The Spirit as 'Friend' who mends broken hearts (Ps 147:3; Isa 61:1) and gives a 'token' (pledge, 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:14).
- Scripture
- Isa 53:6, Matt 7:14, Ps 147:3, Isa 61:1, 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:14
- Imagery & language
- Straying; narrow way; broken hearts.
- Law / Gospel
- Law (inability) and Gospel (guidance and comfort).
- Connection to previous
- Confession of need.
The Spirit's strength is asked to sustain us to act bravely, relying on him; as refuge and shield, may he keep us from fleeing the field and help us defy all enemies; may he defend us from error and earthly terrors.
Military imagery (Eph 6:10-17). 'Never quit the field' — perseverance in spiritual warfare. 'From all errors and earth's terrors' — the twin threats of false doctrine and persecution. The Spirit gives courage for confession (Acts 4:31).
- Scripture
- Eph 6:10-17, Acts 4:31, 2 Tim 1:7, Ps 28:7
- Imagery & language
- Battlefield; shield; defiance.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — strength in conflict.
- Connection to previous
- From guidance to strength.
The Spirit, Rock and Source of life, is asked to let his Word burn strongly within us amid doubt and conflict so we stay faithful to death in pure love and faith; may he shower grace and peace, so that confessing Christ we win his blessing.
Again the Word: 'Let Thy dear Word… be strong within us burning.' 'Faithful unto death' (Rev 2:10). The Spirit leads to confession of Christ (1 Cor 12:3; John 15:26). 'Source of Life' — the Nicene Creed's 'Lord and giver of life.' The blessing at the end is Christ's (Matt 10:32).
- Scripture
- Rev 2:10, 1 Cor 12:3, John 15:26, Matt 10:32, John 6:63
- Imagery & language
- Rock; source; burning Word.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — faithfulness through the Word.
- Connection to previous
- Returns to the Word as the means of perseverance.
The Spirit, as gentle dew, is asked to fall on all hearts with tender love, binding hearts together in kind deeds that fulfill the law of love; where he lives, envy and strife vanish and he gives peace, love, and joy.
Dew as an image of God's refreshing grace (Hos 14:5). The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace (Gal 5:22). 'The law of love fulfilling' (Rom 13:10; Gal 5:14). 'Envy banish; Strife will vanish' — the works of the flesh (Gal 5:20-21) overcome. This stanza addresses the community, not only the individual.
- Scripture
- Hos 14:5, Gal 5:22-23, Rom 13:8-10, Gal 5:14, 20-21, Col 3:14
- Imagery & language
- Dew; hearts bound together.
- Law / Gospel
- Sanctification — fruit of the Spirit.
- Connection to previous
- From individual faith to community life.
A prayer that our lives may be spent in holiness, that the Spirit be our strength and tower, free us from sinful desire, vanity, and dead works, keep heart and senses pure, and lead us to heavenly life.
Sanctification (1 Pet 1:15-16; 1 Thess 4:3). 'Dead works' (Heb 9:14) — works done without faith. 'Strength and Tower' (Prov 18:10). The final petition, 'Let us heavenly life inherit,' ends with eternal life — the Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance (Eph 1:14).
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 1:15-16, 1 Thess 4:3, Heb 9:14, Prov 18:10, Eph 1:14
- Imagery & language
- Tower; purity; inheritance.
- Law / Gospel
- Sanctification and eschatological hope.
- Connection to previous
- Closing prayer.
Themes
Holy Spirit indwelling Sanctification Temple of the Holy Spirit Christian growth Consecration