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Know Britain Traditional Christian Hymns
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TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN HYMNS

 

BREATHE ON ME, BREATH OF GOD

A TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN HYMN

The words of this hymn give expression to the heart-felt yearning of every mature Christian whose sole thought is to be at one with God, in the present, in the future and for evermore. Uncontaminated union of heart and mind with God to do his will is the one goal of all true Christians and is, indeed, God's one goal for man - for man's sake. From oneness with God derives everything else: faith, hope and charity. From this oneness derives the strength of the Christian, from this oneness derives the joy of Christian living, from this oneness derives fullness of life, from this oneness derives eternal hope and salvation.

That union has already been made possible for us by the death and resurrection of Christ but each Christian still has to learn to possess it and to be possessed by it. Otherwise it is like a precious gift we have been given but which we leave unopened. Of what use is that?

 

Breathe on Me, Breath of God

 

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love,
And do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure:
Until with thee I have one will
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with thee the perfect life
Of thine eternity

Edwin Hatch (1835-1889)


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latest update: 25/01/05