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SPIRIT OF GOD, DESCEND UPON MY HEART

Scripture Verse

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:25

Introduction

Words: George Cro­ly, Psalms and Hymns for Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: 1854).

Music: More­cambe Fred­er­ick C. At­kin­son, 1870 (🔊 ). At­kin­son orig­in­al­ly wrote this tune for Abide with Me, but it nev­er caught on with that hymn.

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of At­kin­son (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you send us an e-mail?

portrait
George Croly (1780–1860)

Lyrics

Spirit of God, des­cend up­on my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its puls­es move;
Stoop to my weak­ness, migh­ty as Thou art;
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no pro­phet ec­sta­sies,
No sud­den rend­ing of the veil of clay,
No an­gel vi­sit­ant, no op­en­ing skies;
But take the dim­ness of my soul away.

Teach me to feel that Thou art al­ways nigh;
Teach me the strug­gles of the soul to bear.
To check the ris­ing doubt, the re­bel sigh,
Teach me the pa­tience of un­an­swered pray­er.

Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!

Teach me to love Thee as Thine an­gels love,
One ho­ly pas­sion fill­ing all my frame;
The kind­ling of the heav­en des­cend­ed Dove,
My heart an al­tar, and Thy love the flame.