O Come now Holy Spirit -- Another Pentecost prayer

O Come now Holy Spirit

1. O come now Holy Spirit,

send forth Your heav’nly light,

resplendent, without limit,

in all its radiance, bright.

Come, Helper of the needy

who gives to us His gifts.

Fill us with shining glory

as You our hearts uplift.

2. You are the great Consoler,

sweet Guest of hurting souls,

the gracious Intercessor,

whose comfort we extol.

Give rest, when we are weary,

restrain us when we stray,

and guide us ever gently

in this life’s tearful way.

3. O blessed Light from heaven,

our darkened hearts now fill

with every grace that’s given

to make us do God’s will.

Without Your intervention

in us there is no health

for vile is the intention

of everyone on earth.

4. Wash all that is corrupted,

drench everything scorched dry,

heal all those who are wounded,

with grace do them supply.

Bend that which is unbending,

warm all that has grown cold,

correct all who are erring –

do not Your love withhold.

5. You are the sev’nfold Spirit

on whom we do rely

to bless us with the merit

of Christ our Lord on high.

Give comfort to your people,

and save us at the end.

Grant us the joy eternal

when we to heav’n ascend.

Trans. of Veni Sancte Spiritus (c. 13th cent.)

Set to music here.

For Pentecost

O Come, Creator Spirit, Come

O come, Creator Spirit, come;

visit our souls, make them your home.

Come with your grace and heavenly aid

to fill the hearts which you have made.

O gift of God, yours is the name

of Comforter who to us came,

the spring of life, the flame, the love,

the sweet anointing from above.

You, sev’nfold gift, by whom we stand,

You finger of God’s own right hand,

the Father’s promise sent to teach

the tongue a rich and heavenly speech.

Enlighten us with light divine;

may in our hearts your love now shine.

And grant our flesh, which is so frail,

Your mighty strength which does not fail.

Drive far from us the enemy;

give us your peace continually.

Then, as you lead us day by day,

we will avoid the sinful way.

Through you may we the Father know;

true knowledge of the Son bestow.

And you – the Spirit, they outpour –

may all trust you forevermore.

Praise God the Father, and the Son –

who once was dead but rose again –

and praise the Helper Christ did send,
forevermore, world without end.

Translation of the 9th century Veni Creator Spiritus

A Prayer for the Day of Pentecost

1. O come now Holy Spirit,

send forth Your heav’nly light,

resplendent, without limit,

in all its radiance, bright.

Come, Helper of the needy

who gives to us His gifts.

Fill us with shining glory

as You our hearts uplift.

2. You are the great Consoler,

sweet Guest of hurting souls,

the gracious Intercessor,

whose comfort we extol.

Give rest, when we are tired,

restrain us when we stray,

condole us when we’re mired

in this life’s tearful way.

3. O blessed Light from heaven,

our darkened hearts now fill

with every grace that’s given

to make us do God’s will.

Without Your intervention

in us there is no health

for vile is the intention

of everyone on earth.

4. Wash all that is corrupted,

drench everything scorched dry,

heal all those who are wounded,

with grace do them supply.

Bend that which is unbending,

warm all that has grown cold,

correct all who are erring –

do not Your love withhold.

5. You are the sev’nfold Spirit

on whom we do rely

to bless us with the merit

of Christ our Lord on high.

Give comfort to your people,

and save us at the end.

Grant us the joy eternal

when we to heav’n ascend.

Text: Transl. from Latin, George van Popta, 2010

My late friend, Chris Nobels, wrote a tune for this hymn, which can be seen here.