spirit of the Living God

 1926

"Spirit of the Living God" was written and composed in February 1926 by Daniel Iverson, a Presbyterian minister from North Carolina. 

• Inspiration: Iverson wrote the hymn after attending an evangelistic revival in Orlando, Florida, led by the George T. Stephans Evangelistic Party. He was deeply moved by a sermon on the Holy Spirit given by a physician, Dr. Barron.
• Composition: Following the sermon, Iverson went to the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, sat at the piano, and wrote both the lyrics and the tune, now known as "IVERSON". The original manuscript was transcribed by the revival team's pianist, Miss Birdie Loes.
• Initial Popularity: The hymn was immediately taught to the revival congregation and grew in popularity through oral tradition and printed leaflets.
• Publication: It first appeared in print in 1929 in Robert H. Coleman's Revival Songs, though it was published anonymously and without Iverson’s permission.
• Expansion: In 1937, Southern Baptist musician B.B. McKinney harmonized the tune and included it in Songs of Victory. A second stanza, focusing on corporate unity, was later added by Michael Baughen in the 1980s.
• Lyrical Themes: The hymn is known for its simple, prayerful plea—"Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me"—which mirrors the biblical imagery of a potter and clay found in Jeremiah 18:1-6.