John Michael Talbot - Come Holy Spirit Lyrics
Lyrics
(Veni, Sancte Spiritus)
Holy Spirit, Lord of Light,
From the clear celestial height,
Thy pure beaming radiance give.
Come, Thou father of the poor,
Come, with treasure to endure,
Come, Thou light of all that live.
Light immortal, light divine,
Visit now, these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill:
For without Thy grace, all turns to ill.
Chorus:
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide our steps when we go astray:
Light immortal, light divine,
Visit now, these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill:
For without Thy grace, all turns to ill.
(CHORUS)
Video
Come Holy Spirit (original)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on January 1, 2003, as part of his album *Signatures*, John Michael Talbot's "Come Holy Spirit" stands as a profound invocation, drawing from one of Christianity's oldest and most cherished hymns, the "Veni, Sancte Spiritus." This ancient prayer, attributed to Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the 13th century, has long served as a profound plea for divine guidance and grace within the Church's liturgy. Talbot’s rendition thoughtfully carries the weight and timeless urgency of this spiritual tradition into a contemporary setting, making its deep theological truths accessible to new generations seeking a deeper connection with the divine presence in their lives. The song isn't merely a performance; it's a living prayer, echoing the universal human yearning for spiritual succor and transformation.
The essence of "Come Holy Spirit" is a direct, earnest appeal to the third person of the Trinity, recognizing the Holy Spirit as the essential link between God and humanity, the Comforter, the Guide, and the Empowerer promised by Christ. The lyrics begin by petitioning the "Holy Spirit, Lord of Light," a powerful acknowledgement of God as the source of all illumination, as echoed in 1 John 1:5, which declares God to be light, and in Psalm 27:1, which names the Lord as our light and salvation. This opening expresses a deep desire for divine clarity, wisdom, and the unveiling of spiritual truth, a role the Spirit fulfills by teaching us all things and reminding us of Christ's words (John 14:26), and by guiding us into all truth (John 16:13), revealing the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).
The prayer continues by addressing the Spirit as "Thou father of the poor," highlighting God's compassionate nature and His special care for the vulnerable, a theme consistently woven throughout Scripture from Psalm 68:5-6 to Luke 4:18-19. The request for "treasure to endure" points not to fleeting earthly riches but to the spiritual blessings and eternal inheritance that withstand the tests of time, as articulated in Ephesians 1:3 and Matthew 6:19-21. To call the Spirit the "light of all that live" underscores His life-giving power, reminding us that it is the Spirit who gives life (John 6:63) and who raised Christ from the dead, dwelling within believers to give life to mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). The profound realization that "without Thy grace, all turns to ill" anchors the song in humility, acknowledging humanity's inherent weakness and inability to do good apart from God's sustaining power, a truth Jesus Himself proclaimed in John 15:5, "apart from me you can do nothing."
The recurring Latin chorus, "Veni, Sancte Spiritus," a direct translation of "Come, Holy Spirit," serves as the song's insistent, unceasing heartbeat, a concentrated plea for the Spirit's presence. This central refrain frames the specific petitions that follow, seeking healing for spiritual wounds, which mirrors the comforting message of Psalm 147:3 that God heals the brokenhearted. The yearning to have our "strength renew" aligns with the promise in Isaiah 40:31 that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. The desire for the Spirit to "pour Thy dew" on our dryness speaks to the spiritual refreshment and quenching of thirst found in Isaiah 44:3 and Psalm 42:1-2, while the plea to "wash the stains of guilt away" reflects the Spirit's convicting work (John 16:8) and the washing of rebirth and renewal (Titus 3:5).
Further petitions reveal a deep understanding of human frailty and the Spirit's transformative power. The request to "bend the stubborn heart and will" is a cry for spiritual transformation, echoing God's promise in Ezekiel 36:26 to remove hearts of stone and give hearts of flesh. To "melt the frozen, warm the chill" is to ask for rekindled spiritual fervor and compassion, preventing the lukewarmness described in Revelation 3:15-16. Finally, the prayer to "guide our steps when we go astray" is a surrender to divine direction, recognizing the Spirit's role in leading believers, illuminated by verses like Psalm 119:105 which speaks of God's word as a lamp to our feet, and Proverbs 3:5-6 which encourages trust in the Lord for guidance. John Michael Talbot's "Come Holy Spirit" is therefore a comprehensive prayer, drawing deeply from biblical truths to express a universal longing for the Spirit's indwelling presence, guidance, and sanctifying work in the life of every believer. It serves as a powerful testament to the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in fostering a vibrant, grace-filled walk with God, encouraging listeners to open their hearts fully to the divine Comforter.