His research on the Septuagint was focused on compiling a comprehensive concordance on the Greek version of the Old Testament. He died before completing it, and it was completed by a friend, and became known as the Hatch and Redpath Concordance of the Septuagint, still a defining work to this day.
All of this by way of saying that the same Edwin Hatch, shy scholar, content to be in the background of academy and church, wrote one of the loveliest hymns about the Holy Spirit. In Victorian England, and most other periods, t's quite rare for reserved academic philologists and historians to state so simply and overtly their own devotional feelings.
'Breathe on Me Breath of God", remains a prayer of the heart for those of us who still sing it, and are in churches that might choose it.
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.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.
The photograph shows a hairstyle I've never been tempted to copy
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