Spirit of Mercy, Truth, and Love

Spirit of mercy, truth and love,
O shed Thine influence from above,
And still from age to age convey
The wonders of this sacred day.

In every clime, by every tongue,
Be God’s amazing glory sung;
Let all the listening earth be taught
The wonders by our Savior wrought.

Unfailing Comfort, heavenly Guide,
Still o’er Thy holy Church preside;
Still let mankind Thy blessings prove,
Spirit of mercy, truth and love.

Author: Unknown

Year: 1753

This Pentecost hymn first appeared in the Foundling Hospital Collection (London) in 1753. No author is credited in the original publication or in the majority of subsequent hymnals; it is occasionally attributed to "Anon." or to the editors of the collection. Some later sources have tentatively linked it to John Needham or other 18th-century writers, but these attributions are not widely accepted.