Hymns of the Lutheran Church

116 Awake, Thou Spirit, who didst fire

1 Awake, Thou Spirit, who didst fire The watchmen of the Church's youth, Who faced the foe's envenomed ire, Who witnessed day and night Thy truth, Whose voices loud are ringing still, And bringing hosts to know Thy will. 2 Lord, let our earnest prayer be heard, The prayer Thy Son hath bid us pray, For lo, Thy children's hearts are stirred In every land in this our day, To cry with fervent soul to Thee, O help us, Lord! so let it be! 3 O haste to help, ere we are lost! Send preachers forth, in spirit strong, Armed with Thy word, a dauntless host, Bold to attack the rule of wrong; Let them the earth for Thee reclaim, Thy heritage, to know Thy name. 4 Would there were help within our walls! O let Thy Spirit come again, Before whom every barrier falls, And now once more shine forth as then! O rend the heavens and make us free! Come, Lord, and bring us back to Thee! 5 And let Thy word have speedy course, Through every land be glorified, Till all the heathen know its force, And all Thy churches far and wide; Wake Israel from his sleep, O Lord, And spread the conquest of Thy word! 6 The Church's desert paths restore; Let stumbling-blocks that in them lie Hinder Thy word henceforth no more: Error destroy, and heresy, And let Thy Church, from hirelings free, Bloom as a garden fair to Thee!

Text Information

Author
C. A. von Bogatzky, 1750
Translator
Miss C. Winkworth, 1855

Tune Information

Name
Adoro
Meter
8s. 6L.
Source
J. Barnby, 1872