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Send O Lord Thy Holy Spirit

Send, O Lord, Thy Holy Spirit

Send O Lord Thy Holy Spirit is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in L.M. meter. Found in CW21 898, CW93 545, ELH 507, lsb 681. Sung to KOMMT HER ZU MIR.

The hymn emphasizes pneumatology and the necessity of the Holy Spirit for effective Christian witness and church growth. It reflects Lutheran emphasis on the Spirit's role in creating faith and sustaining the body of Christ.

History & Background

This hymn appears in various Lutheran hymnals from the 19th century onward with authorship unclear. It has been included in Lutheran worship tradition as a prayer for the Holy Spirit's work in the church.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 898
  • Christian Worship — 545
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 507
  • Lutheran Service Book — 681
  • Lutheran Worship — 263
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 491

Bulletin Note

From the early 19th-century Lutheran tradition, this L.M. hymn in KOMMT HER ZU MIR sets a straightforward petition to a melody steeped in German Reformed hymnody, uniting voice with ancient Christian longing for Pentecost.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's grace: our helplessness (the implicit Law) met by the Spirit's active, generous sending, freeing us for authentic witness and faith.

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Trinity 8 (2×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • 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.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

A hymn for the installation of a teacher of children (in TLH's era, a Lutheran parochial school teacher), translated by F. W. Herzberger, a Missouri Synod pastor. It asks the Spirit to make the teacher a faithful shepherd of Christ's lambs, proclaiming pure teaching (st. 1); confesses that Christ has called him and that he needs the Spirit's wisdom and love (st. 2); and prays that he nourish children with the Word until they sing in heaven, and receive the crown by grace (st. 3). It reflects the high Lutheran view of teaching the faith to children.

Central theme: Prayer for teachers of children, called by Christ, to feed his lambs with the pure Word by the Spirit's gifts

Structure

Three eight-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.7.7.8.8). The Spirit for a shepherd (1) — calling and gifts (2) — nourishing the children (3).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: Christ's call, the Spirit's gifts, the crown 'by grace.' 'In all weakness' acknowledges need.

Confessional Connections

Teachers serve the Church's task of teaching the Word to the young (SC preface; LC preface). A call from Christ through the Church (AC XIV). Pure doctrine (AC VII). The crown as reward of grace (Ap IV.356-366).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Installation of teachers; Lutheran school services; beginning of school year; Christian education Sunday.

Historical Notes

Herzberger (1859-1930), Missouri Synod pastor and city missionary in St. Louis; translated in 1930.

About the Tune

WERDE MUNTER (Johann Schop, 1642).

Scripture References

Acts 11:24 John 21:15 Isa 40:11 Mark 10:14 1 Pet 5:2-4 Jas 1:5 2 Cor 12:9 Deut 6:6-7 2 Tim 3:14-15 Eph 6:4 1 Cor 15:58 Jas 1:12

Stanza by Stanza

1 Send, O Lord, Thy Holy Spirit…

Lord, send your Holy Spirit on your servant now, we pray; let him prove a faithful shepherd to your little lambs always. Make it his aim and only endeavor to proclaim your pure teaching, praise your holy name, and feed your lambs, dear Savior.

'Feed my lambs' (John 21:15). Christ the Shepherd 'gathers the lambs in his arms' (Isa 40:11). The teacher is an under-shepherd. His task: 'pure teaching' (AC VII), praise, and feeding — the Word as food. The Spirit equips (Acts 11:24, Barnabas 'full of the Holy Spirit and of faith').

Scripture
John 21:15, Isa 40:11, Acts 11:24, 1 Pet 5:2-4
Imagery & language
Shepherd; lambs; feeding.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — the Spirit for the teacher.
Connection to previous
Shepherd.
teaching children pure doctrine
2 Thou, O Lord, Thyself hast called him…

Lord, you yourself have called him to care for your precious lambs; but to prosper in his calling he must share the Spirit's gifts. Grant him wisdom from above and fill his heart with holy love; be near him in all weakness, and hear him in his prayers, Good Shepherd.

The call comes from Christ (AC XIV). Gifts are needed: wisdom (Jas 1:5) and love (1 Cor 13). 'In all weakness' — 2 Cor 12:9. The teacher prays and is heard by the Good Shepherd.

Scripture
Jas 1:5, 1 Cor 13:1-3, 2 Cor 12:9, John 10:11
Imagery & language
Call; wisdom; love.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — calling and gifts.
Connection to previous
Calling.
call gifts of the Spirit vocation
3 Help, Lord Jesus, help him nourish…

Help him, Lord Jesus, nourish our dear children with your Word, so that they serve you in constant love until their song is heard in heaven. Give boundless blessings on his faithful work below until by grace his reward, the crown of heaven, is given.

Nourishing children with the Word (Deut 6:6-7; 2 Tim 3:14-15; Eph 6:4). The goal: their song in heaven. The teacher's reward is 'by grace' — 'the crown of heaven' (Jas 1:12; 1 Pet 5:4).

Scripture
Deut 6:6-7, 2 Tim 3:14-15, Eph 6:4, 1 Cor 15:58, 1 Pet 5:4
Imagery & language
Nourishing; song; crown.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — blessing and reward by grace.
Connection to previous
Children.
Christian education children reward of grace

Themes

Holy Spirit Church renewal Spiritual empowerment Divine grace

Look Further