Worship Arts Notes ♫♫

"Spirit Song," written in 1979, was written by John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship. It appears widely in hymnals and is one of the more popular new hymns in The United Methodist Hymnal.  

Stanza one begins with an image of Christ, inviting "The Son of God" to "enfold" the worshipper "with his Spirit and love." The song encourages an intimate relationship between the singer and Christ through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. If the singer will surrender "all the things that hold you," the Holy Spirit will descend "like a dove... upon your life and make you whole."  

Stanza two invites a classic charismatic expression: "Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name." "Surrender" involves giving Christ "all your tears and sadness" and "all your years of pain" as one "enter[s] into life in Jesus' name."  

The refrain is a petition to Jesus to "come and fill your lambs." The repetition of Jesus' name and the simple words provide a musical mantra over which the singer may pray and perhaps sway with uplifted arms in the Holy Spirit.