Eternal Spirit, God of Truth

Author: Thomas Cotterill

Thomas Cotterill (b. Cannock, Staffordshire, England, 1779; d. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 1823) studied at St. John's College, Cambridge, England, and became an Anglican clergyman. A central figure in the dispute about the propriety of singing hymns, Cotterill published a popular collection of hymns (including many of his own as well as alterations of other hymns), Selection of Psalms and Hymns in 1810. But when he tried to introduce a later edition of this book in Sheffield in 1819, his congregation protested. Many believed strongly that the Church of England should maintain its tradition of exclusive psalm singing. In a church court the Archbishop of York and Cotterill reached a compromise: the later edition of Selection was withdrawn… Go to person page >

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 51:10-12, 17
st. 2 = Rom. 8:9-17

Originally entitled "For a well-grounded hope of salvation," this text by Thomas Cotterill (PHH 409) was published in Coterill’s Selection of Psalms and Hymns (1810). The text's original first line began "Eternal Spirit, source of truth."

Stanza 1 is a prayer for renewal by the Holy Spirit (see PHH 420); stanza 2 continue this prayer with allusions to Romans 8:9-17.

Liturgical Use
Pentecost; as a prayer for comfort at many other services.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook