John Michael Talbot - Come Holy Spirit (Veni Sancti Spiritus) Lyrics
Lyrics
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 (Veni Sancti Spiritus) by John Michael Talbot
Meaning & Inspiration
John Michael Talbot's "Come Holy Spirit (Veni Sancti Spiritus)," found on his 2008 compilation album *The Troubadour Years*, is a profound meditation on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, rooted deeply in ancient Christian prayer and Scripture. The song takes its foundation from the venerable Latin antiphon, *Veni Sancti Spiritus*, itself a prayerful invocation for the descent and work of the Paraclete, mirroring the disciples' expectant waiting in the Upper Room after Jesus' ascension. Talbot's rendition is not merely a musical setting but a heartfelt plea for divine intervention in the complexities of human life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the Spirit as a divine source of light and life, asking Him to illuminate our path, much like Psalm 27:1 states, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" The request for the Spirit to be the "father of the poor" and to bring "treasure to endure" echoes Jesus' teachings in the Beatitudes, particularly "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3), suggesting that true wealth is found not in earthly possessions but in spiritual richness bestowed by God.
The song's core message centers on the Spirit's indispensable role in human renewal. Talbot implores the Spirit to "Visit now, these hearts of Thine, and our inmost being fill," a plea that resonates with the Apostle Paul's assertion in 1 Corinthians 6:19: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?" The acknowledgement that "without Thy grace, all turns to ill" underscores the theological understanding of humanity's fallen state and the absolute necessity of divine assistance for righteous living. The chorus, with its repeated Latin invocation, serves as a powerful mantra, amplifying the earnest desire for the Spirit's presence. As the song progresses, the petitions become more specific: "Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour Thy dew; Wash the stains of guilt away." This imagery directly connects to God's promise of spiritual refreshment and cleansing, as seen in Jeremiah 31:14, "I will satisfy the souls of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord." The call to "Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide our steps when we go astray" is a prayer for sanctification, for the Spirit to mold our characters into Christ-likeness and to direct our earthly journey. This aligns with the Spirit's role as our guide, as promised by Jesus in John 16:13, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth." Ultimately, Talbot's "Come Holy Spirit" is a timeless invitation for believers to actively engage with the indwelling Spirit, seeking His constant presence and work for spiritual transformation and faithful living.