7 Inspirational songs for Pentecost

Breathe on me, breath of God

Nineteenth century British scholar and Oxford University faculty member Edwin Hatch wrote “Breathe on me, Breath of God” as a musical prayer.

The repeated stanza opening alludes to Bible verses like Genesis 2:7, in which God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being” as well as John 20:22, which describes Jesus breathing on his disciples and saying “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

“This hymn prays that God will breathe on us and fill us with life anew, even as God breathed life into Adam. It prays that God will breathe on us to purify our hearts,” stated sermonwriter.com.

“It prays that God will breathe on us until we are wholly devoted to God. It prays that God will breathe on us so that we might never die.”