Psalm 16Breathe on Me

Psalm text from Ancient Songs Sung Anew

by Lynn Bauman, adapted by Linnea Good

Hymn Lyrics by Edwin Hatch 1835-89

Music originally Aaron Williams “Psalmody in Miniature”, London 1778

Breathe on me, breath of GodFill me with life anew

That I may love all that you loveAnd do what you would do.

One: Protect me, God, for I have taken refuge in you

All: You are my God and Maker; what gifts I have all come from you.

One: I take delight in all who trust in you, who have made your good their every gain, their livelihood.

All: But those who sport with other gods – the ones they own – will only multiply their troubles here.

One: I will not offer myself or sacrifice to these, nor take their empty names upon my lips.

All: God, you are for me all that I truly need and all that is good.

One: I raise the cup of life you give, and drink

All: May you hold my life in yours, as I hold you.

Breathe on me, breath of GodTill I am wholly thine

Until this earthly part of meGlows with thy fire divine.

One: Inside the boundaries of my life there is a land so broad, so good. I never earned it, nor was it ever ‘mine’.

All: It was sent as a gift, inherited from you.

One: My spirit is filled with you, my heart is glad, my soul is ever satisfied.

All: My body rests along the way in peace.

One: And when it comes, you will not abandon me in death, nor allow your beloved ones to vanish and be no more.

All: You lead and guide along a path called Life

One: and there your presence is the source of joy.

All: For from your hands there flows a never-ending stream of bliss.

Breathe on me, breath of GodSo shall I never die

But live with thee the perfect lifeOf thine eternity.