"O Holy Spirit, Enter In"
                       by Michael Schirmer, 1606-1673
                Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
                                 Text From:
                    THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
             (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.175



	1. O Holy Spirit, enter in
	And in our hearts Thy work begin,
	Thy temple deign to make us;
	Sun of the soul, Thou Light Divine,
	Around and in us brightly shine,
	To joy and gladness wake us.
	That we, In Thee
	Truly living, To The giving
	Prayer unceasing,
	May in love be still increasing.

	2. Give to thy Word impressive power
	That in our hearts, from this good hour,
	As fire it may be glowing;
	That we confess the Father, Son,
	And Thee, the Spirit, Three in One,
	Thy glory ever showing.
	Stay Thou, Sway now
	Our souls ever That they never
	May forsake Thee,
	But by faith their Refuge make Thee.

	3. Thou fountain whence all wisdom flows
	Which God on pious hearts bestows,
	Grant us Thy consolation
	That in our pure faith's unity
	We faithful witnesses may be
	Of grace that brings salvation.
	Hear us, Cheer us
	By Thy teaching; Let our preaching
	And our labor
	Praise Thee, Lord, and serve our neighbor.

	4. Left to ourselves, we shall but stray;
	Oh, lead us on the narrow way,
	With wisest counsel guide us
	And give us steadfastness that we
	May ever faithful prove to Thee
	Whatever woes betide us.
	Come, Friend, And mend
	Hearts now broken, Give a token
	Thou art near us,
	Whom we trust to light and cheer us.

	5. Thy heavenly strength sustain our heart
	That we may act the valiant part
	With Thee as our Reliance,
	Be Thou our Refuge and our Shield
	That we may never quit the field,
	But bid all foes defiance.
	Descend, Defend
	From all errors and earth's terrors;
	Thy salvation
	Be our constant consolation.

	6. O mighty Rock, O Source of Life,
	Let Thy dear Word, mid doubt and strife,
	Be strong within us burning
	That we be faithful unto death,
	In Thy pure love and holy faith,
	From Thee true wisdom learning.
	Thy grace And peace
	On us shower; By Thy power
	Christ confessing,
	Let us win our Savior's blessing.

	7. O gentle Dew, from heaven now fall
	With power upon the hearts of all,
	Thy tender love instilling,
	That heart to heart more closely bound,
	In kindly deeds be fruitful found,
	The law of love fulfilling;
	Dwell thus In us.
	Envy banish; Strife will vanish
	Where Thou livest.
	Peace and love and joy Thou givest.

	8. Grant that our days, while life shall last,
	In purest holiness be passed,
	Be Thou our Strength and Tower.
	From sinful lust and vanity
	And from dead works set Thou us free
	In every evil hour.
	Keep Thou Pure now
	From offenses Heart and senses;
	Blessed Spirit!
	Let us heavenly life inherit.

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #235 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Is. 11:2
        Author: Michael Schirmer, 1640, alt.
        Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
        Titled: "O Heil'ger Geist, kehr bei uns ein"
        Tune: "Wie schoen leuchtet"
        Composer: Philipp Nicolai, 1599
        

        

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