Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling

“Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling” are the opening words to a text written by the Welsh Anglican bishop Timothy Rees (1874-1939). Throughout, Rees employs the adverb “ever” to point to both the immanence and transcendence of the Holy Spirit in its timeless and perpetual activities:

Holy Spirit, ever dwelling in the holiest realms of light,
Holy Spirit, ever brooding o’er a world of gloom and night,
Holy Spirit, ever raising those of earth to thrones on high,
living, life-imparting Spirit, you we praise and magnify.

Holy Spirit, ever living as the Church’s very life,
Holy Spirit, ever striving through us in a ceaseless strife,
Holy Spirit, ever forming in the Church the mind of Christ,
you we praise with endless worship for your gracious gifts unpriced.

Holy Spirit, ever working through the Church’s ministry,
teaching, strength’ning, and absolving, setting captive sinners free,
Holy Spirit, ever binding age to age and soul to soul
in communion never ending, you we worship and extol.

Mostly unison, with limited SATB (SAB) voicing in verses 2 and 3, “Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling” is quick to rehearse, easy to sing, and a meaningful declaration of praise to the third Person of the Holy Trinity.

SATB/keyboard score (4 pages, 8.5×11″)

SAB/keyboard score (4 pages, 8.5×11″)