This Sunday, we will celebrate Pentecost, the liturgical holiday commemorating the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles. You can read about this magnificent event in Acts 2. It’s a truly wild, wonderful scene as the apostles begin proclaiming the same gospel in different languages.
Pentecost is one of the rare Sundays when we focus primarily on the Holy Spirit. This may not be wrong; as J.I Packer writes, the Spirit’s ministry is that of a floodlight, always illuminating and pointing toward Christ.
Still, if we believe the Spirit is the third divine person of the Trinity and, as the Nicene Creed proclaims, “with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,” we should probably sing to him every now and again.
Traditional churches have this down to a science. My hymnal has a Pentecost section abounding with songs celebrating the Spirit’s ministry. And for the person of the Trinity most directly associated with singing (see Ephesians 5:19!), this is fitting.
Unfortunately, though, I tend to find that the go-to contemporary song to the Holy Spirit is, well, “Holy Spirit.” This song does not actually teach us anything about the Spirit’s ministry, nor does it praise the Holy Spirit in any significant, meaningful way. I try not to tear down contemporary worship as a whole, but this song—while it may not be outright bad—is just not good.
However, last year I made a pact with myself. If I want to denounce a popular worship song as “not good,” I have to prove I can write a better one. I’ve dubbed this the “Isaac Watts Principle” based on the anecdote that Watts, a prolific hymn writer, got his start when his father told him to stop complaining about church music and write better songs.
In essence, stop griping and start writing.
I’m not sure whether you’ll think the following song is better. That’s okay. Still, writing it was a redemptive process for me as I channeled my thoughts on worship music into creation rather than complaining. This seems to follow the model set in Ephesians 5, after all. Life in the Spirit is about setting aside the works of darkness (such as division) and, instead, walking in the light (perhaps by singing).
Also, to properly honor the very Spirit of truth, I’ve put scripture references beside each section of this song.
Spirit Song
Verse 1 (Genesis 1)
You hovered o’er the water
Before there was dry land,
And then you filled those dust-made lungs
With the first breath of man.
Verse 2 (Exodus 31, Ephesians 5)
You inspired chosen artists,
Giving and guiding skill,
And now you inhabit our praise
As our songs you fill.
Chorus (Genesis 2, John 14)
Oh Breath of Life, our Comforter,
Working out the will of the Father,
Creator Spirit: God, Holy Spirit.
Oh Breath of New Life, our Comforter,
Working out the word of the Savior,
Creator Spirit: God, Holy Spirit.
Verse 3 (Luke 1, Isaiah 7)
You visited the Virgin:
A song and Son she bore,
And you foretold glad tidings
Of the coming Savior.
Verse 4 (Matthew 3, Galatians 5)
You hovered o’er the river,
Descending like a dove,
And the fruit of your presence
Is perfect love.
Chorus
Bridge (Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, Galatians 5)
Grant us grace, teach us truth,
Let us sing your songs
And bear much fruit. (repeat)
Grant us grace, teach us truth…
Verse 5 (Acts 2, Revelation 7)
You fanned the Church’s fire
And you’ll sustain the flame
‘Til every tribe and tongue proclaim
Our Lord Jesus’ name!
Chorus
Thanks for reading!
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Ryanne Molinari 