Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

 ...but just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.  For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
let us Thine influence prove;

source of the old prophetic fire,

fountain of life and love.

Come, Holy Ghost, for moved by Thee

the prophets wrote and spoke;

unlock the truth, Thyself the key,

unseal the sacred book.

Expand Thy wings, celestial Dove,

brook o'er our nature's night;

on our disordered spirits move,

and let there now be light.

God, through Himself, we then shall know

if Thou within us shine,

and sound with all Thy saints below,

the depts of love divine.

.....

Two Scripture passages are in this hymn: the very first Biblical reference to the Holy Spirit and one of the last.  Genesis 1:2 finds the Holy Spirit "hovering over the waters" involved in creation.  The earth has just been described as "formless and empty" but the Spirit oversees the ordering of our world.  In the next verse, light shines at God's command and the rest of that chapter details the forming of a creation that God said was "good."

2 Peter 1:19-21 urges the readers to pay attention to the word of the prophets, "as to a light shining in a dark place."  These prophets were inspired by God, "as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

If you are familiar with Charles Wesley, he has included solid theology into this hymn.  The Spirit brings order out of our chaos. He shines light into our dark places.  He does this through the Scriptures.  He unlocks the truth spoken by the ancient prophets so it makes sense in modern times.

.....

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire - YouTube
tune is called 'St Stephen' - composed by William Jones (1726-1800)

Hymn 261 Come Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire - YouTube
Melody: TALLIS’ ORDINAL (Thomas Tallis, c.1505-1585)
'St Columba' - which is listed as an 'Irish Melody'.

Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - YouTube