“And I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever.”
About this song
An ambient gospel meditation on the holy spirit, framed the way Jehovah's Witnesses understand it: not a third person of a Godhead, but Jehovah's own active force, the breath that hovered over the waters in Genesis 1, fell at Pentecost in Acts 2, and was promised by Jesus in John 14 as another helper. The song moves from "in the beginning" through Pentecost to the everyday comfort of leaning on the Father's power when the words won't come.
Read more about this teaching at jw.orgLyrics
Intro
ambient pad, wind texture, Rhodes chord, spoken softly
In the beginning…
The spirit of Jehovah was moving over the waters…
Not a person… not a third God…
His active force… His breath… His power…
The comforter He promised to send…
Verse 1
Jesus said, "I'm going away
But the helper will come in my place
The spirit of truth from the Father
Will remind you of my every trace"
Not a he, not a she, not a person apart
But Jehovah's own power poured into the heart
Like wind through an open window
Like fire on the upper room floor
Like oil running down Aaron's beard
Like nothing ever felt before
Pre-Chorus
And when I don't know how to pray
When the words just won't come out
The spirit pleads for me
With groanings without a doubt
Chorus
The comforter (the comforter)
Jehovah's active force
The comforter (the comforter)
Flowing like a river from the source
Not a person, not a rival
Not a third upon the throne
Just the power of the Father
Reaching those who feel alone
The comforter
Breath of the Most High
The comforter
Teaching me to fly
Verse 2
Genesis one, it was hovering there
Before the light, before the air
God's active force, His ruach breath
Bringing life where there was only death
At Pentecost it came like wind
Filled the house where they all were in
Tongues of fire on every head
Just like the prophet Joel had said
"In the last days, says Jehovah
I will pour out My spirit on all flesh"
And sons and daughters, young and old
Would prophesy, would be refreshed
Pre-Chorus
And the fruits it produces
Love, joy, peace, and more
Patience, kindness, goodness
Faith that opens every door
Chorus
The comforter (the comforter)
Jehovah's active force
The comforter (the comforter)
Flowing like a river from the source
Not a person, not a rival
Not a third upon the throne
Just the power of the Father
Reaching those who feel alone
The comforter
Breath of the Most High
The comforter
Teaching me to fly
Bridge
groove drops to pad and voice, very spacious, breath audible
It's not who… it's what…
It's not a person I pray to…
I pray to the Father… through the Son…
And the spirit… comes through…
Like wind I can't see
But I feel it on my face
Like a force I can't touch
But I know it by its trace
It raised the Christ from the grave
It'll raise us up too
Jehovah's own power
Making all things new
(Making all things new… making all things new…)
Verse 3
softer, reflective
When I'm weary, when I'm faint
When the load is heavy, when I ain't
Got another step to take on this road
The spirit lifts up what I can't hold
It helps me remember every word he said
It guides me into truth, it clears my head
It convicts the world concerning sin
It produces the righteousness within
It's not a third… it's Jehovah's breath
The same power that conquered death
Poured out freely, poured out wide
For every servant who abides
Final Chorus
build with backing vocals, still spacious
The comforter (the comforter)
Jehovah's active force
The comforter (the comforter)
Flowing like a river from the source
Not a person, not a rival
Not a third upon the throne
Just the power of the Father
Reaching those who feel alone
The comforter
Breath of the Most High
The comforter
Teaching me to fly
Outro
pad only, wind texture returns, whispered, fade
Ruach… pneuma… spirit…
The Father's own breath…
Moving over the waters…
Filling the upper room…
Pouring out on all flesh…
Making all things new…
Jehovah's active force…
The comforter…
Breathe on me… breathe on me… breathe on me…
Go deeper at jw.org
These articles from Jehovah's organization explain the teachings behind this song.
