O heiliger Geist, o heiliger Gott

Here is my superfluous (e.g., John C. Mattes’ “O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God”) translation of the Pentecost hymn or prayer to the Holy Spirit, “O heiliger Geist, o heiliger Gott” (J. Niedling, 1655?), a composition evidently inspired by the melody of the Christmas hymn, “O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild.” According to Fischer, it first appears in Johann Niedling’s Lutherisch Hand-Büchlein (Altenburg, 1655) without ascription and following two Pentecost hymns of Niedling; thus he conjectures Niedling’s authorship. Gottschald, in his Lieder-Remarquen (Leipzig, 1738) ascribes it to Bartholomäus Helder, clearly confusing it with Helder’s “O heiliger Geist, ewiger Gott” (which Crull translates as “O Holy Ghost, Eternal God”). Our text is taken from Ev.-Luth. Gesangbuch #227, where it is also wrongly ascribed to Helder.

 

O SPIRIT of God! O Spirit most pure!
In every need true Comforter!
Thou art sent forth from heaven’s throne
From God the Father and the Son.
O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!

2 O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!
Love for Thy Word may we procure!
Within us stoke love’s flame, that we
May love all men accordingly.
O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!

3 O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!
Our faith increase and make secure!
For none in Jesus Christ believe,
Unless Thy succor they receive.
O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!

4 O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!
By Holy Writ our blindness cure,
Enlight’n our eyes, that every one
May know the Father and the Son.
O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!

5 O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!
Thou show’st the Door to heaven sure;
Let us contend here valiantly,
And blessedly press on to Thee.
O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!

6 O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!
In grief and death Thy grace assure,
We give Thee honor, thanks, and praise
Both now and throughout all our days.
O Spirit of God! O Spirit most pure!

Translation © 2022 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott!
du Tröster werth in aller Noth!
du bist gesandt vons Himmels Thron,
von Gott dem Vater und dem Sohn.
O hiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott.

2 O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott!
gieb uns die Lieb zu deinem Wort!
zänd an in uns der Liebe Flamm,
darnach zu lieben allesammt.
O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott.

3 O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott!
mehr unsern Glauben immerfort!
An Christum Niemand glauben kann,
es sei denn durch dein Hülf gethan.
O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott.

4 O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott!
erleucht uns durch dein göttlich Wort!
lehr uns den Vater kennen schou,
dazu auch seinen lieben Sohn.
O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott.

5 O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott!
du zeigst die Thür zur Himmelspfort;
laß uns hier kämpfen ritterlich
und zu dir dringen seliglich.
O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott.

6 O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott!
verlaß uns nicht in Noth und Tod;
wir sagen dir Lob, Ehr und Dank
jetzund und unser Lebenlang.
O heiliger Geist! o heiliger Gott.