Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Hymn lyrics and .mp3 Download

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1. Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

2. Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

3. Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine, till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.

4. Breathe on me, Breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.

Words by: Edwin Hatch
Music by: Robert Jackson
Video so you can sing along to Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Story of the hymn Breathe on Me, Breath of God

"Breathe on Me, Breath of God" is a Christian hymn whose text was written by Edwin Hatch (1835-1889), an English Anglican theologian, classicist, and hymn writer.
The hymn’s story is rooted more in quiet personal devotion and theological reflection than in a dramatic historical event.

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Origins of the Text

Edwin Hatch wrote the poem in 1878, during a period when he was deeply engaged in academic work and pastoral theology.

At the time, Hatch was known less as a poet and more as a serious scholar of early Christianity. The text was originally intended as a meditative poem, not as a congregational hymn.

The language reflects Hatch’s preoccupation with inner spiritual renewal rather than outward religious expression.

Drawing directly from John 20:22 ("He breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost"), the poem focuses on the Holy Spirit's role in transforming the believer’s inner life by purifying the will, aligning human desires with God’s purposes, and enabling faithful obedience.

Theological Emphasis

Unlike many Victorian hymns that stress triumph, certainty, or doctrinal clarity, "Breathe on Me, Breath of God" is notable for its gentleness and restraint.
Its themes include:

• Spiritual dependence on God
• Gradual moral transformation
• Self-surrender rather than self-assertion
• Quiet holiness expressed through faithful living

This tone aligns closely with Hatch’s theology, which emphasized ethical Christianity and how faith reshapes character and conduct over time.

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