Scripture Verse

The spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:2

Introduction

Words: Jo­hann Nied­ling, 1651. Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by John C. Mat­tes, 1913.

Music: Je­su­lein süss, Geist­liche Kirch­en­ge­sang (Co­logne, Ger­ma­ny: 1623). Har­mo­ny by Jo­hann S. Bach (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Nied­ling or Mat­tes (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Johann Bach (1685–1750)

Lyrics

O Spir­it of life, O Spir­it of God,
In ev­ery need Thou bring­est aid,
Thou cam­est forth from God’s great throne,
From God, the Fa­ther and the Son;
O Spir­it of life, O Spir­it of God.

O Spir­it of life, O Spir­it of God,
Make us to love Thy sac­red Word;
The ho­ly flame of love im­part,
That cha­ri­ty may warm each heart;
O Spir­it of life, O Spir­it of God.

O Spir­it of life, O Spir­it of God,
Increase our faith in our dear Lord;
Unless Thy grace the pow­er should give,
None can be­lieve in Christ and live;
O Spir­it of life, O Spir­it of God.

O Spir­it of life, O Spir­it of God,
Enlighten us by Thy blest Word;
Teach us to know the Fa­ther’s love,
And His dear Son, who reigns above:
O Spir­it of life, O Spir­it of God.