Hover Over me, Holy Spirit - Hymn with Lyrics

1. Hover o’er me, Holy Spirit,
Bathe my trembling heart and brow.
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence;
Come, O come and fill me now.

Refrain:
Fill me now, fill me now,
Jesus, come and fill me now;
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence;
Come, O come and fill me now.

2. Thou canst fill me, gracious Spirit,
Tho' I cannot tell Thee how.
But I need Thee, greatly need Thee;
Come, O come and fill me now. [Refrain]

3. I am weakness, full of weakness;
At Thy sacred feet I bow.
Blest, divine, eternal Spirit,
Fill with pow’r and fill me now. [Refrain]

4. Cleanse and comfort, bless and save me;
Bathe, O bathe my heart and brow.
Thou art comforting and saving;
Thou art sweetly filling now. [Refrain]

Scripture; Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:18

The hymn "Hover O’er Me, Holy Spirit" was written by Elisha A. Hoffman (1839–1929), a prolific American hymn writer known for penning over 2,000 hymns. Hoffman, a pastor and composer, had a deep passion for encouraging heartfelt devotion through music. This hymn, like many of his compositions, reflects his focus on personal communion with God and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Inspiration Behind the Hymn:

The hymn expresses a yearning for the presence and empowering of the Holy Spirit. Hoffman’s ministry often emphasized the need for spiritual renewal and the believer’s reliance on the Holy Spirit for daily strength and sanctification. The imagery in the hymn—asking the Spirit to "hover," "cleanse," and "fill"—evokes the sense of the Spirit’s intimate, nurturing, and purifying role in the believer's life.

Hoffman’s inspiration for such hymns likely stemmed from his pastoral experiences, as he ministered to people facing trials and seeking deeper spiritual experiences. His lyrics often drew from scripture and personal reflections on God’s work in the lives of His people.

Lyrics Overview:

The hymn begins with a plea for the Holy Spirit to "hover" over the singer, much like the Spirit hovered over the waters in Genesis 1:2. Each verse conveys a deep desire for spiritual renewal, purity, and power, culminating in a request for a "heart completely Thine." This reflects a longing for total surrender and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.