Thou hast put gladness in my heart.
Psalm 4:7
Words: Paul Gerhardt, in Praxis Pietatis Melica, by Johann Crüger, 3rd edition, 1648 (O du allersüsste Freude). Translated from German to English by John Christian Jacobi, circa 1725. Adapted by Samuel Longfellow, in the Unitarian Book of Hymns, 1848.
Music: Beecher John Zundel, Christian Heart Songs 1870 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Holy Spirit, source of gladness,
Come with all Thy radiance bright;
O’er our weariness and sadness
Breathe Thy life and shed Thy light!
Send us Thine illumination,
Banish all our fears at length;
Rest upon this congregation,
Spirit of unfailing strength.
Let that love which knows no measure,
Now in quickening showers descend,
Bringing us the richest treasures
Man can wish or God can send;
Hear our earnest supplication,
Every struggling heart release;
Rest upon this congregation,
Spirit of untroubled peace!