Creator Spirit, by whose aid

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Creator Spirit, by Whose aid

Author: Rabanus Maurus; Paraphraser: John Dryden (1693)
Published in 188 hymnals

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	Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid

Piano/Organ
	TIMELESS MUSIC FOR WEDDING & SPECIAL OCC…

Choral
	God of the Ages

Representative Text

1. Creator Spirit, by whose aid
The world's foundations first were laid,
Come, visit every humble mind;
Come, pour your joys on humankind;
From sin and sorrow set us free,
May we your living temples be.

2. O Source of light, our Counselor,
The Father's help to us assure.
Come down, as promised, with your fire,
And hearts with heav'nly love inspire.
Your sacred, healing message bring
To sanctify us while we sing.

3. Giver of grace, descend from high,
In answer to our earnest cry.
Help us eternal truths receive,
And practice all that we believe.
Give us your wisdom so we see
The glory of the Trinity.

4. Immortal honor, endless fame,
Attend th' almighty Father's name;
The Savior-Son be glorified,
Who for all humankind has died;
And equal adoration rise,
To you, O Spirit, in the skies.

Source: Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship #177

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Author: Rabanus Maurus

Rabanus Maurus (c. 776-856) or Hrabanus Magnentius Maurus, was born of noble parents at Mainz, and educated at Fulda and Tours under Alcuin, who is reputed to have given him the surname, Maurus, after the saint of that name. In 803, he became director of the school at the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda. He was ordained priest in 814, spending the following years in a pilgrimage to Palestine. In 822, he became Abbott at Fulda, retiring in 842. In 847, he became archbishop of Mainz. He died at Winkel on the Rhine, February 4, 856. This distinguished Carolingian poet-theologian wrote extensive biblical commentaries, the Encyclopaedic De Universo, De Institutione Clericorum, and other works which circulated widely during the Middle Ages. Som… Go to person page >

Paraphraser: John Dryden

Dryden, John. The name of this great English poet has recently assumed a new importance to the students of hymns, from a claim made on his behalf in regard to a considerable body of translations from the Latin published after his death (1701), in a Primer of 1706. The discussion of this point will preclude us from giving more than an outline of his life. i. Biography.—John Dryden was the son of Erasmus, the third son of Sir Erasmus Dryden, and was born at Aid winkle, All Saints, Northants, Aug. 9, 1631. He was educated under Dr. Busby at Westminster, and entered Trip. College, Cambridge, in 1650. He took his B.A. in 1654, and resided nearly 7 years, though without a fellowship. He was of Puritan blood on both his father's and mother's… Go to person page >

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Related Texts

O Holy Spirit, by Whose Breath

First Line:	Creator Spirit, by Whose aid
Title:	Creator Spirit, by whose aid
Latin Title:	Veni Creator Spiritus
Paraphraser:	John Dryden (1693)
Author:	Rabanus Maurus
Meter:	8.8.8.8.8.8
Source:	Latin hymn, 9th cent.
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

Year A, Easter season, Day of Pentecost
Related to Acts 2 (NPM)

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Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Gen 1:2, 1 Cor. 6:19
st. 2 = John 14:16

The ninth-century Latin hymn "Veni, Creator Spiritus" is the basis for this text as well as 426. Almost as well known as the earlier "Te Deum Laudamus" (504),”Veni, Creator Spiritus” is an anonymous hymn; it has been attributed to Rhabanus Maurus (776-856), but with no solid proof to date. The Hymnal 1982 Companion provides the following information:

Of all Latin Hymns, this has probably been the most familiar to Anglicans throughout the centuries. Most likely written in the ninth century, it has been in continuous use in English coronation rites since the accession of Edward II in 1307. . . . Its original use is unknown, but it has been sung at various Pentecost offices at least since the tenth century and at ordination services at least since the eleventh (Vol. Three B, pp. 502-503).

Several translations are in use, all rather free paraphrases from the Latin. The translation provided here is by John Dryden (b. Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire, England, 1631; d. London, England, 1700), published in his Miscellany Poems (1693). One of the prime literary figures of his time, Dryden received his education at Trinity College, Cambridge, England. His first major poem was "Heroic Stanzas on the Death of Oliver Cromwell." After James I was restored to the throne, Dryden became both a royalist and Roman Catholic. At the height of his career he was appointed poet laureate and royal historian. Because he remained a Roman Catholic when the Protestants William and Mary came to the throne in 1688, he lost his official positions. A writer of plays, poems, odes, and satires, Dryden also translated the works of classical poets such as Virgil and Bocaccio. His English translations of Latin hymns were published posthumously in The Primer of Office (1706).

The text is a prayer for the creative, dynamic work of the Holy Spirit in God's people. The prayer is cast in older English expressions: "Paraclete" is Greek for comforter, advocate, or counselor (st. 2); "sevenfold energy" is based on the medieval reading of Isaiah 11:2, in which the Hebrew list of six characteristics of the Spirit was mistakenly translated into the Latin Vulgate as seven traits, thereby spawning a medieval tradition of "sevenfold . . . of the Spirit" (st. 3).

Liturgical Use:
Pentecost; ordination or commissioning services; baptism; profession of faith.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

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Tune

MELITA (Dykes)

The original chant melody associated with this text [i.e., "Eternal Father, strong to save"] is found in most hymnals of denominations where chant has played a role, including the Lutheran tradition, which has produced much organ music on this well-known chant. The setting here is by John B. Dykes (…

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ALL EHR UND LOB

ST. CATHERINE (Hemy)

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The Book of Common Praise: being the hymn book of The Church of England in Canada (revised 1938) #482

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The Cyber Hymnal #1088

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Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #425

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Page Scans

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Our Great Redeemer's Praise (2022), p.325

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Instances

Instances (1 - 100 of 188)

A Selection of Hymns, adapted to the devotions of the closet, the family, and the social circle; and containing subjects appropriate to the monthly concerns of prayer for the success... #113

Additional Hymns set forth by the House of Bishops at the request of the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies, in General Convention, October 1865; to be used in the congregations of the Protestant Ep.. #236

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