Lyrics
Verse 1
Hold me closer
Holy Spirit
Hold me closer
Holy Spirit
Pre-Chorus
Need You, I love You
I need You, I love You
Holy Spirit, hmm
Holy Spirit
Verse 2
You are my shelter
You are my cover
You are my Father
You are my Mother
You are my shelter
Refrain
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Chorus
Hold me closer
Keep me closer
Bridge 1
Holy Spirit
Spirit lead me gently guide my footsteps
Never leave me walk beside me stay forever
Verse 3
When I am weak You are my strength
When I'm afraid You are my peace
When I am falling lift me again
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Chorus
Hold me closer
Hold me closer
I will never let go
I will never let go
Verse 4
You are my comfort
You are my refuge
Under Your shadow
I will remain day and night
Calling Your name
Bridge 2
Holy Spirit
Breathe on me, breathe on me
Fill my heart, set me free
Closer, closer
Closer, closer to You
Verse 5
Even through the valley
I will fear no evil
You are here with me
You are here with me
Verse 6
Your hands uphold me
Your love surrounds me
Your voice restores me
Your peace fills me
Refrain
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Chorus
Hold me closer
Keep me closer
Refrain
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Outro
You are my shelter
You are my cover
You are my Father
You are my Mother
You are my shelter
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Closer, closer
Amen
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This slow prayer is addressed directly to the Holy Spirit and built on one plea, "Hold me closer." The lyrics move from need to trust, beginning with "Need You, I love You" and then naming the Spirit as "my shelter," "my cover" and "my comfort."
The third verse answers three kinds of trouble with three gifts: "When I am weak You are my strength, when I'm afraid You are my peace, when I am falling lift me again." A later verse borrows the language of the shepherd psalm, "Even through the valley I will fear no evil," and the bridge asks the Spirit to "breathe on me" and "fill my heart, set me free."
The song also gives the Spirit both fatherly and motherly images of care, a choice that some listeners may find unusual. Its overall focus is nearness, with the repeated words "closer" and "I will never let go" expressing a wish to stay in God's presence day and night.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 23:4 The valley and fearing no evil appear in the fifth verse.
- John 14:26 Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as Helper and Comforter.
- Romans 8:26 The Spirit helps believers in weakness.