Come to Our Poor Nature's Night - Hymn with Lyrics

1. Come to our poor nature's night,
With thy blessed inward light,
Holy Ghost, the Infinite,
Comforter Divine.

2. We are sinful - cleanse us, Lord;
Sick and fain -thy strength afford;
Lost - until by thee restored,
Comforter Divine.

3. Like the dew thy peace distil;
Guide, subdue our wayward will,
Things of Christ unfolding still,
Comforter Divine.

4. With us, for us, intercede,
And, with voiceless groanings, plead
Our unutterable need,
Comforter Divine.

5. In us Abba, Father! cry,
Earnest of the bliss on high,
Seal of immortality,
Comforter Divine.

6. Search for us the depths of God;
Upwards by the starry road,
Bear us to thy high abode,
Comforter Divine.

Scripture; 

Romans 8:26; John 8:12; Isaiah 9:2; 

2 Corinthians 4:6

The hymn "Come, Holy Spirit, Heav'nly Dove" was written by Isaac Watts and first published in 1707 in his landmark collection titled Hymns and Spiritual Songs. This collection was groundbreaking for its time, as it introduced hymns that were not direct paraphrases of Scripture (particularly Psalms), a practice that was revolutionary in English Protestant worship.

The hymn is part of a larger body of work by Watts, who sought to enrich Christian worship with songs that expressed the truths of the Gospel and the experiences of believers in a personal and heartfelt way.

The hymn "Come, Holy Spirit, Heav'nly Dove" was written by Isaac Watts, often called the "Father of English Hymnody." Its story is deeply tied to Watts' vision for transforming worship in the 18th century.

Historical Context

1. Hymnody in Watts’ Time:
   During Isaac Watts' era, congregational singing in English churches was dominated by metrical psalms—scripture verses set to rigid and often uninspired tunes. Watts found this practice lacking in emotional depth and theological richness, as it often failed to capture the full spectrum of Christian experience.

2. Watts’ Motivation:
   As a young man, Watts reportedly complained to his father about the poor quality of church singing. His father challenged him to write something better, leading Watts to begin composing hymns that combined deep theological truths with poetic artistry. His work aimed to make worship more engaging and spiritually enriching.

3. Purpose of the Hymn:
   "Come, Holy Spirit, Heav'nly Dove" reflects a prayerful longing for the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. The hymn emphasizes human frailty, spiritual poverty, and the transformative power of the Spirit. Watts wanted worshippers to acknowledge their dependence on the Spirit for sanctification, guidance, and empowerment.

4. Theological Themes:

   • Invocation of the Spirit: The hymn invites the Holy Spirit to descend upon the worshippers, akin to the Spirit's role at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4).
   • Human Weakness: It recognizes the inadequacy of human strength and understanding without divine aid.
   • Spiritual Renewal: The hymn seeks the Spirit’s influence to renew hearts, enlighten minds, and inspire fervent worship.

Textual History

• The hymn was included in Watts’ 1707 publication, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, which contained hymns designed to move beyond the metrical psalms traditionally used in worship.
• Over the years, the original hymn text has been adapted in various hymnals, with some stanzas omitted or altered to fit different denominational preferences.