Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
Let us thine influence prove:
Source of the old prophetic fire,
Fountain of life and love.
Come, Holy Ghost, for moved by thee
The prophets wrote and spoke;
Unlock the truth, thyself the key,
Unseal the sacred book.
Expand thy wings, celestial Dove,
Brood o’er our nature’s night;
On our disordered spirits move,
And let there now be light.
God, through himself, we then shall know
If thou within us shine,
And sound with all thy saints below,
The depths of love divine.
Charles Wesley
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Win Hawkins 05.24.10 at 5:49 pm
I chose that yesterday at my trial service (Tune St Columba) at Horton
Kim 05.24.10 at 6:25 pm
Win, did you sing it before the sermon? The hymn is a moveable feast, but I think it’s particularly delicious linking the reading and preaching of the Word. Anyway, I hope the service was, er, a win-ner! (Oh, and remember, only two Chuck Wesley hymns per sevice, max. More constitutes musical gluttony.)
(Btw, I’m at Sketty Methodist the next two Sunday evenings on the trot. Maybe I’ll see you there. If you make it next Sunday - Trinity Sunday - you can check out whether I’m an adoptionist, a modalist, or an out-and-out unitarian - and report back to your tutor!)
Richard 05.24.10 at 9:31 pm
I used this hymn on Sunday , too — and put it just before the sermon. Great minds, eh Kim?!
Hope your trial service went well, Win.
I’ve just come in from conducting a Circuit ‘Aldersgate’ service. It included lots more than 2 of CW’s hymns. A very solid diet!
John cooper 05.24.10 at 10:56 pm
Thanks for posting this. Tis a favourite of mine - a gem rarely sung in church. I think there is a cracking medieval come holy ghost in h&p which is equaly movng
Win Hawkins 05.25.10 at 3:16 am
Yes, I used as the hymn before sermon, with Gospel reading sandwiched between (I had to preach on Mark so used Mark 13 1-11 to link with Holy Spirit as it was Pentecost)
Kim - I’m your steward both times.
Richard 05.25.10 at 6:41 am
No escape for you then, Win!