Sunday, May 08, 2011

New Book of Praise (14)

Hymn 60–The Spirit Came, as Promised

James Seddon based this Pentecost hymn, first published in 1973, entirely on references to the Holy Spirit in the Letter to the Ephesians. As the Apostle Paul did in Ephesians, the hymn speaks about many of the works the Holy Spirit does in us and for us: He seals us; dwells in us; gives us faith; binds us together in unity and peace; brings us power from God; turns us away from base passion to godly living; puts the Word, which is his sword, into our hands. We are urged not to grieve or deny the Holy Spirit but, rather, to be filled with him and, by his influence, sing songs unto the Lord.

   Johannes Bastiaans composed the tune to which the song is set. Bastiaans was a Dutch organist who composed many tunes. Among other things, he taught music at the Institute for the Blind in Amsterdam. Also, he was primarily responsible for introducing J.S. Bach to the Netherlands, both through his Bach recitals and his founding of the Bach Society in Amsterdam.

   This hymn could be used on Pentecost, when preaching on a text about the Holy Spirit in Ephesians, or in connection with Lord's Day 20.

~gvp
Sources: Psalter Hymnal Handbook