Martin Luther wrote two hymns and translated another that focus on the Holy Spirit. In these hymns he draws on the biblical imagery in a surprising number of ways. In just three hymns, Luther includes all of the following as descriptions of the Holy Spirit:

• Highest Comforter
• Transcendent comfort
• Comfort true
• Fervent love
• Sweetest love
• Noble light
• Holy light
• Holy fire
• Precious refuge
• Spiritual salve
• Living fount 

Note a few of these rich expressions in the following hymn of Luther:

To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray
To God the Holy Spirit let us pray
Most of all for faith upon our way
That He may defend us when life is ending
And from exile home we are wending.
Lord, have mercy!
O sweetest Love, Your grace on us bestow;
Set our hearts with sacred fire aglow
That with hearts united we love each other,
Every stranger, sister, and brother.
Lord, have mercy!

Transcendent Comfort in our every need,
Help us neither scorn nor death to heed
That we may not falter nor courage fail us
When the foe shall taunt and assail us.
Lord, have mercy!

Shine in our hearts, O Spirit, precious light;
Teach us Jesus Christ to know aright
That we may abide in the Lord who bought us,
Till to our true home He has brought us.
Lord, have mercy!

Martin Luther, 1483-1546

© 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.