LSB #693 "O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace"

Biblical citations in the hymnal:  Romans 5:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:3, 1 Peter 2:21-25, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Romans 5:1-5:  "1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

1 Corinthians 12:3:  "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit."

1 Peter 2:21-25:  "21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.  22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.  23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.  24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  By his wounds you have been healed.  25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

1 Corinthians 9:24-25:  "24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

+++

The text is public domain:

O Holy Spirit, grant us grace

That we our Lord and Savior

In faith and fervent love embrace

And truly serve Him ever.

The hour of death cannot bring loss

When we are sheltered by the cross

That cancelled our transgressions.

Help us that we Thy saving Word

In faithful hearts may treasure;

Let e'er that Bread of Life afford

New grace in richest measure.

O make us die to ev'ry sin,

Each day create new life within,

That fruits of faith may flourish.

And when our earthly race is run,

Death's bitter hour impending,

Then may Thy work in us begun

Continue till life's ending,

Until we gladly may commend

Our souls into our Savior's hand,

The crown of life obtaining.

+++

Romans 5:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:3, and 1 Peter 2:21-25 all seem to be present in the first verse, with the texts from Romans and 1 Corinthians in the first half and the text from 1 Peter (particularly verse 24) in the second half.  The lines "Help us that we Thy saving Word / In faithful hearts may treasure" in the second verse may also come from 1 Corinthians 12:3.

The title "Bread of Life" in the second verse comes from John 6:35, 48.

The passage from 1 Corinthians 9 appears at the beginning of the third verse:  "And when our earthly race is run," although instead of a wreath, the hymn mentions "the crown of life," which could refer to either James 1:12 or Revelation 2:10.

The lines "Then may Thy work in us begun / Continue till life's ending" in the third verse are something of a paraphrase of Philippians 1:6:  "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."