Gaither Vocal Band - Sweet Sweet Spirit Lyrics
Lyrics
There's a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it's the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
Chorus
Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.
There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know Him in His fullness and believe;
You're the one to profit when you say,
"I am going to walk with Jesus all the way."
If you say He saved you from your sin,
Now you're weak, you're bound and cannot enter in,
You can make it right if you will yield,
You'll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel.
Video
Gaither Vocal Band - Sweet, Sweet Spirit (Live) ft. Gene McDonald
Meaning & Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band, renowned for their masterful harmonies and dedication to gospel music, released their rendition of the beloved classic "Sweet Sweet Spirit" on November 19, 2012. This particular track stands as a testament to the enduring power and timeless message of Doris Akers' original 1962 composition, showcasing the band's ability to breathe fresh life into sacred hymns while preserving their profound spiritual essence. Rather than simply reinterpreting a song, the Gaither Vocal Band presents it as a living testimony, inviting listeners into a profound encounter with the divine presence.
At its core, "Sweet Sweet Spirit" articulates a deep longing for and recognition of the Holy Spirit's tangible presence during communal worship and personal reflection. The initial lines paint a vivid picture of an atmosphere permeated by God's Spirit, suggesting that this divine presence is not merely an abstract concept but a felt reality, evident in the "sweet expressions on each face." This echoes the biblical promise found in 2 Corinthians 3:17, which declares, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom," implying that the Spirit's arrival brings liberation and joy, often outwardly visible. Similarly, Matthew 18:20 assures us, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them," a promise that the Spirit, as the presence of Christ, faithfully fulfills by creating an environment conducive to spiritual receptivity and peace.
The song's pivotal chorus serves as both an invocation and a declaration, a collective prayer for the "Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove" to "stay right here with us, filling us with Your love." This imagery of the dove has deep biblical roots, notably in the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16), symbolizing the gentle yet powerful descent of the Holy Spirit. The petition for the Spirit's continued indwelling and outpouring of love directly aligns with Romans 5:5, which affirms that "God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." The ultimate aspiration expressed is that through these blessings, hearts will be lifted in praise, leading to an undeniable spiritual revival before departing the sacred space. This desire for transformative renewal resonates with the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29, reiterated in Acts 2:17-18, where God promises to pour out His Spirit on all people, leading to profound spiritual awakening and change.
Moving beyond mere recognition, the subsequent verses challenge and encourage believers to embrace a deeper walk of faith. The lyrics suggest there are "blessings you cannot receive Till you know Him in His fullness and believe," emphasizing that a partial commitment yields only partial experience. This speaks directly to the profound truth of Colossians 2:9-10, stating, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness." To know Christ in His fullness is to access every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). The call to "walk with Jesus all the way" is a clear invitation to discipleship, reflecting Jesus’ own words in Matthew 16:24, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." This commitment is portrayed not as a burden but as a source of ultimate profit and fulfillment, leading to a life rich in divine connection.
Finally, the song addresses a common spiritual struggle, speaking to those who, despite being saved from sin, may feel "weak, you're bound and cannot enter in." This honest acknowledgment of human frailty finds resonance with Paul's personal struggle described in Romans 7:18-25, where he laments doing what he does not want to do. The path to overcoming this spiritual paralysis, the song reveals, is to "yield." To yield means to surrender, to submit one's will to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to take full control. Romans 8:1-2 powerfully declares, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." By yielding to the Spirit, as Galatians 5:16 advises ("So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh"), believers can overcome weakness and instead "enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel," stepping into the freedom and power God intends. "Sweet Sweet Spirit" thus serves as a powerful call to embrace the full, transformative presence of the Holy Spirit, guiding individuals from passive observation to active, yielded participation in God's ongoing work within and around them.