O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace
O Holy Spirit, grant us grace
O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in elw 402, lsb 693, lw 336, tlh 293. Sung to ST. PETERSBURG.
The hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of the Holy Spirit's continuous work in sanctification and the Christian's dependence on divine grace for godly living. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on the Spirit's role beyond justification, extending to daily transformation and perseverance in faith.
History & Background
Written by Martin Behm in early 17th century Germany as a prayer-hymn invoking the Holy Spirit's work in Christian life. Translated into English by Catherine Winkworth in the 19th century and became standard in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 402
- Lutheran Service Book — 693
- Lutheran Worship — 336
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 293
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this Lutheran hymn reflects the Reformation's conviction that the Holy Spirit works not only in justification but in the believer's ongoing transformation, fruit-bearing, and witness.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens a Law-and-Gospel proclamation by moving beyond justification: it holds together human inability to live as Christians with the Spirit's empowering grace for daily sanctification and perseverance.
Overview
A prayer to the Holy Spirit by Bartholomäus Ringwaldt, Lutheran pastor in the Neumark and author of 'The Day Is Surely Drawing Near.' TLH places it among hymns on the Word. It asks the Spirit to give faith and love toward Christ, so that at death we may flee to his wounds (st. 1); to help us treasure the Word and receive the Bread of Life, dying to sin and bearing fruit (st. 2); and to complete his work in us until we commend our souls to Christ (st. 3). The theme is the Spirit's work from beginning to end through Word and Sacrament.
Central theme: The Holy Spirit working faith through Word and Sacrament and keeping it until death
Structure
Three seven-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.8.7). Faith in Christ (1) — Word and Sacrament (2) — perseverance to death (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout; dying to sin (2) and death's bitter hour (3) name the struggle.
Confessional Connections
The Spirit creates and sustains faith through Word and Sacrament (AC V; SC Third Article). New obedience as fruit (AC VI). Perseverance as God's work: 'He who began a good work will complete it' (Phil 1:6; FC XI).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Pentecost season; before the sermon; Communion; funerals (st. 3).
Historical Notes
Ringwaldt (1532-c. 1599), pastor at Langfeld. Smeby (1851-1929) was a Norwegian-American Lutheran pastor.
About the Tune
ES IST GEWISSLICH (Klug's Geistliche Lieder, Wittenberg, 1535).
Scripture References
1 Cor 12:3 Eph 3:17 John 20:27 Song 2:14 Luke 8:15 Col 3:16 John 6:35, 51 Rom 6:11 2 Cor 5:17 Gal 5:22 Phil 1:6 Luke 23:46 Acts 7:59
Stanza by Stanza
Holy Spirit, give us grace to embrace our Lord and Savior in faith and fervent love and serve him always, so that when death approaches we may fly to his open wounds and find salvation in them.
Faith in Christ is the Spirit's gift (1 Cor 12:3; SC Third Article). Faith and love together — love as fruit of faith. The goal is the deathbed: 'to His open wounds may fly' — the old image of Christ's wounds as a refuge (Song 2:14, 'the clefts of the rock'; John 20:27). Lutheran piety directed the dying to Christ's wounds rather than to their own works.
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 12:3, Eph 3:17, Gal 5:6, John 20:27, Song 2:14, Isa 53:5
- Imagery & language
- Embrace; open wounds as refuge.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — faith in Christ, refuge in his wounds.
- Connection to previous
- Opening petition.
Help us treasure your saving Word in faithful hearts; let that Bread of Life always give new grace in richest measure; let us die to every sin, create us new within for heaven, so that fruits of faith may flourish.
The means of grace: the Word treasured (Luke 8:15; Col 3:16) and 'that Bread of Life' — Christ himself (John 6:35), given in the Word and the Supper. 'New grace in richest measure' — the means of grace are not used once but continually. 'Die to every sin' (Rom 6:11) and 'create us new' (2 Cor 5:17; Ps 51:10) — daily repentance and renewal. 'Fruits of faith' follow (Gal 5:22; AC VI).
- Scripture
- Luke 8:15, Col 3:16, John 6:35, 51, Rom 6:11, Ps 51:10, 2 Cor 5:17, Gal 5:22
- Imagery & language
- Treasure; bread; dying and new creation; fruit.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit's work through Word and Sacrament.
- Connection to previous
- The means.
And when our earthly race is run and death's bitter hour is near, may your work begun in us continue until life's end, until we gladly commend our souls into our Savior's hand to rest in eternal peace.
Phil 1:6: 'he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.' Perseverance is the Spirit's work (FC XI). The Christian dies commending the soul to Christ, as Christ commended his to the Father (Luke 23:46) and Stephen his to Jesus (Acts 7:59). 'Rest in peace eternal' — Rev 14:13.
- Scripture
- Phil 1:6, 2 Tim 4:7, Luke 23:46, Acts 7:59, Rev 14:13
- Imagery & language
- Race; commending the soul.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — perseverance and peaceful death.
- Connection to previous
- Concludes at death.
Themes
Holy Spirit Grace Sanctification Christian living Prayer