Words: (Komm, o Komm, du Geist des Lebens), in Praxis Pietatis Melica, by (Stettin: circa 1664); translated from German to English by , 1866, in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Ch. Book, 1868, alt. Music: Lux Prima (Gounod), , 1872. Alternate tune:
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Come, O come, Thou quickening Spirit,
God from all eternity!
May Thy power never fail us;
Dwell within us constantly.
Then shall truth and life and light
Banish all the gloom of night.
Grant our hearts in fullest measure
Wisdom, counsel, purity,
That we ever may be seeking
Only that which pleaseth Thee.
Let Thy knowledge spread and grow,
Working error’s overthrow.
Show us, Lord, the path of blessing;
When we trespass on our way,
Cast, O Lord, our sins behind Thee,
And be with us day by day.
Should we stray, O Lord, recall;
Work repentance when we fall.
With our spirit bear Thou witness
That we are the sons of God
Who rely upon Him solely
When we pass beneath the rod;
For we know, as children should,
That the cross is for our good.
Prompt us, Lord, to come before Him
With a childlike heart to pray;
Sigh in us, O Holy Spirit,
When we know not what to say.
Then our prayer is not in vain,
And our faith new strength shall gain.
If our soul can find no comfort,
If despondency grows strong,
And the heart cries out in anguish,
“Oh my God, how long, how long?”
Comfort then our aching breast,
Grant it courage, patience, rest.
Holy Spirit, strong and mighty,
Thou Who makest all things new,
Make Thy work within us perfect
And the evil foe subdue.
Grant us weapons for the strife
And with victory crown our life.
Guard, O God, our faith forever;
Let not Satan, death or shame
Ever part us from our Savior;
Lord our refuge is Thy Name.
Though our flesh cry ever: Nay!
Be Thy Word to us still Yea!
And when life’s frail thread is breaking,
Then assure us more and more,
As the heirs of life unending,
Of the glory there in store,
Glory never yet expressed,
Glory of the saints at rest.