Veni maxime Spiritus

Here is my translation of the Pentecost hymn, “Veni maxime Spiritus” (Helius Eobanus Hessus, d. 1540), in ELGB #169, a paraphrase on the Pentecost antiphon “Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple corda fidelium,” first published as verse in Helii Eobani Hessi Sylvarum libri VI (1535), and other collections, and finally with music and an additional line, in Lossius’s Psalmodia (1553ff.), with a rhythmic setting for four voices Later a German translation was provided, “Komm heilger Geist mit deinen Gaben, Lehr uns Gott recht erkennen, preisen, loben,” in the Halberstadt Gsb 1712. Some sources include in the title indication to sing it at “Twelve Noon,” such as in Georg Friedrich’s Quaestiones.

 

 
 
O COME, Thou Spirit over all most mighty,
Fill the hearts of Thy faithful people rightly:

2 And kindle in them Thy love’s fire so fervent,
Who dost make us to one true faith subservient:

3 Through divers tongues above enumeration,
Paraclete, Thou hast gathered ev’ry nation.

4 By this Spirit, O Father, whom Thou deignest
O’er the earth to send forth, new saints Thou gainest.

5 Thou by Thy gracious Spirit’s breath of favor
Makest wiser the heart of each believer:

6 Oh, grant us by that very Spirit kindly
To know and do the right, nor wander blindly:

7 But by His consolation to live ever,
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and Savior.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

LATIN

Veni maxime Spiritus, tuorum
reple corda fidelium, [tuique]

2 Accendas in eis amoris ignem,
qui gentes fidei sub unitatem:

3 Per discrimina multa linguarum,
Solator Paraclete, congregasti.

4 Quem nunc mittere Spiritum per orbem
digneris, Pater, omnia_innovabis.

5 O qui corda fidelium benigni
flatus Numine doctiora reddis.

6 Da nobis,_age, Spiritu_ex eodem,
et rectum sapere_et frequenter ejus

7 Consolamine vivere_et valere,
per Christum Dominum Deumque nostrum.