ADDENDUM

Above:  Pentecost Dove

Image Scanned from a Bulletin

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Author (in German) = Michael Schirmer (1606-1673)

English Translator = Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878)

Hymn Source = The Chorale Book for England (1863); this text is hymn #71

Although four hymnal companion volumes I have consulted insist that the translation of this hymn as “O Holy Spirit, Enter In” is of Winkworth, going to the primary source–her Chorale Book for England–proves otherwise.

The only change I have made to Winkworth’s translation is to replace some instances of “f” with “s.”  Therefore, for example, “my fprit’s gueft” has become “my spirit’s guest.”

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O enter, Lord, Thy temple,

Be Thou my spirit’s guest!

Who at my birth did give me

A second birth more blest.

Thou in the Godhead, Lord,

Though here to dwell Thou deignest,

For ever equal reignest,

Art equally adored.

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O enter, let my know Thee,

And feel Thy power within,

The power that breaks our fetters,

And rescues us from sin;

So wash and cleanse Thou me,

That I may serve Thee truly,

And render honour duly

With perfect heart to Thee.

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‘Tis Thou, O Spirit, teachest

The foul to pray aright;

Thy songs have sweetest music,

Thy prayers have wondrous might;

Unheard they cannot fall,

They pierce the highest heaven,

Till He His help hath given

Who surely helpeth all.

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Joy is Thy gift, O Spirit!

Thou wouldst not have us pine;

In darkest hours Thy comfort

Doth aye most brightly shine;

Ah then how oft Thy voice

Hath fled its sweetness o’er me,

And open’d heaven before me,

And bid my heart rejoice!

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All love is Thine, O Spirit!

Thou hatest enmity;

Thou lovest peace and friendship,

All strife wouldst have us flee;

Where wrath and discord reign

Thy whisper inly pleadeth,

And to the heart that heedeth

Brings love and light again.

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The whole wide world, O Spirit!

Upon Thy hands doth rest,

Our wayward hearts Thou turnest

As it may seem Thee best;

Once more Thy power make known!

As Thou hast done so often,

Convert the wicked, soften

To tears the heart of stone.

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With holy zeal then fill us,

To keep the faith still pure;

And bless our lands and houses

With wealth that may endure;

And make that foe to flee

Who in us with Thee striveth,

From out our heart he driveth

Whate’er delighteth Thee.

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Order our path in all things

According to Thy mind,

And when this life is over,

And must be all resign’d,

Oh grant us then to die

With calm and fearless spirit,

And after death inherit

Eternal life on high.

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A Collection of Hymns and Liturgy for the Use of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (The Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of the State of New-York, 1844) includes the following translation, as hymn #184.  The Collection does not identify the translator.

Come, gracious Spirit, heav’nly Dove

With light and comfort from above.

Be Thou our guardian, thou our guide;

O’er ev’ry thought and step preside.

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Conduct us safe, conduct us far

From ev’ry sin and hurtful snare;

Lead to thy word that rules must give,

And teach us lessons how to live.

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The light of truth to us display,

That we may know and love thy way;

Plant holy fear in ev’ry heart,

That we from thee may ne’er depart.

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Lead us to righteousness, the road

That we must take, to dwell with God;

Lead us to heav’n, the seat of bliss,

Where pleasure in perfection is.

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