Pour Out Thy Spirit from on High
Pour out Thy Spirit from on high
The hymn expresses the dependence of the Church upon the Holy Spirit for empowerment in ministry and witness. It reflects Lutheran understanding of the Spirit's role in sustaining the Church and equipping believers for service.
History & Background
Written by James Montgomery in 1822, this hymn was published in his collection of hymns and has been widely adopted in Christian worship, particularly in Reformed and Lutheran traditions. It appears in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 490 with the tune Dundee.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 372
- Trinity Hymnal — 204
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 490
Bulletin Note
Written by James Montgomery in 1822, this L.M. hymn became a standard at ordinations and Pentecost services. Montgomery, a Moravian-influenced poet, captured the Church's dependence on the Spirit's empowering presence.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the Gospel's promise that the Spirit equips the weak for bold witness, transforming our human inadequacy into an occasion for God's grace to be magnified.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From human vulnerability and seeking aid (Law) to divine vigilance and protection (Gospel); movement from question to assurance
Themes
Holy Spirit Prayer for the Spirit Ministry Divine empowerment