Spirit of Truth

Spirit of Truth, on this thy day
To thee for help we cry;

Spirit of Truth, on this thy day
To thee for help we cry;
To guide us through the dreary way
Of dark mortality.

We ask not, Lord, thy cloven flame,
Or tongues of various tone;
But long thy praises to proclaim
With fervor in our own.

We mourn not that prophetic skill
Is found on earth no more;
Enough focus to trace thy will
In Scripture’s sacred lore.

We neither have nor seek the power
Ill demons to control;
But thou in dark temptation’s hour,
Shalt chase them from the soul.

No heavenly harpings soothe our ear,
No mystic dreams we share;
Yet hope to feel thy comfort near,
And bless thee in our prayer.

When tongues shall cease and power decay,
And knowledge empty prove,
Do thou thy trembling servants stay
With faith, with hope, with love.

Reginald Heber