Hilf Gott, daß ja die Kinderzucht

Here is my translation of the Domestic Estate hymn, “Hilf Gott, daß ja die Kinderzucht” (D. Denicke?, d. 1680), a prayer for one’s children, from Ev.-luth. Gsb #554, originally appearing in Hanover Gsb (1646) as an addition to the paraphrase of Psalm 127, “Wo Gott nicht selber baut das Haus” (a reworking, perhaps by Denicke, of the older “Wo Gott zum Haus nicht gibt sein Gunst”) but often given separately as its own hymn, as here in the Wisc. hymnal. An earlier translation by Anna Hoppe, published in 1927, is included below (thanks to Elisabeth Urtel). The appointed melody here is “Wo Gott zum Haus.” Other hymnals may indicate “Es ist fürwahr ein köstlich Ding.”

 

GOD, help us our dear children raise
In fruitul, beneficial ways;
Yea, from their mouth prepare for Thee
Due praise on earth continually.

2 Let them obey and seek to please
Their parents and authorities,
And shun, while earthly days progress,
Self-seeking pride and idleness.

3 Let them no saving doctrine lack,
Nor their instruction e’er grow slack,
That for their faith there may be found
In Thy true Word the solid ground.

4 Assured therein, let them from hence
Flee all dishonor and offense,
And never once partakers be
In any wicked company.

5 Lord, by Thy wisdom, pow’r, and grace
All harm and danger from them chase,
And lead them on the even way,
That they may never slip nor stray.

6 Help them each day and every night
To have Thee always in their sight,
And always cultivate their soul
With honor, virtue, self-control.

7 Wherever they their work fulfill,
Let them enjoy Thy blessing still,
That they may pass life’s little year
In Christian wise and faith sincere.

8 When they at last complete their course,
Then take them, Lord, to Thee, their Source,
That we with them in union fair
May praise Thee in Thy kingdom there.

9 God, Father, Son, and Spirit, One,
From whom all mercies o’er us run,
With all our children we give praise
And thanks to Thee for all our days.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

ANNA HOPPE (1927):

Grant God that faithful discipline
Our children’s lasting good may win;
That their young voices they may raise
And here on earth show forth Thy praise.

2 May they to parents loyal be,
Submissive to authority;
All through their life shun restiveness,
Self-will and slothful idleness.

3 Grant that they may not lack, dear Lord,
Sound, wholesome teaching in Thy Word,
And may their faith be ever found
Firm and secure, on solid ground.

4 Grant them assurance in their faith,
Keep them from anger, shame, and wrath,
And may they shun to congregate
With godless throngs of evil trait.

5 In kindness, wisdom, pow’r, and might
Shield Thou their feet from evil’s blight.
In righteous paths be Thou their Guide;
If Thou dost lead, they will not glide.

6 May they keep Thee before their eyes;
Grant them true wisdom from the skies, -
A zeal for truth and honesty, -
For virtue and integrity.

7 May they Thy blessing ever win
In going out and coming in.
All through their life, from year to year,
Grant that they dwell as Christians here.

8 And when their course on earth doth end,
To Thee, dear Lord, may they ascend,
With us Thy glorious praise proclaim
And in Thy Kingdom laud Thy Name.

9 God Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
What floods of grace from Thee we boast!
With our dear children we adore
And praise and thank Thee evermore.

GERMAN

Hilf Gott, daß ja die Kinderzucht,
geschehe stets mit Nutz und Frucht,
daß aus der Kinder Mund der werd
ein Lob bereitet auf der Erd.

2 Laß sie den Eltern insgemein,
den Obern auch gehorsam sein,
und meiden all ihr Lebenlang,
den Eigensinn und Müßiggang.

3 Gieb ja, daß ihnen mangle nicht
heilsame Lehr und Unterricht,
damit aus deinem Wort und Mund
ihr Glaub mög haben festen Grund.

4 Darinnen laß sie sein gewiß,
auch fliehen Schand und Aergerniß,
daß man daselbsten sie nicht findt,
wo sich versammelt schlecht Gesind.

5 Durch deine Weisheit, Macht und Güt
vor allem Unfall sie behüt;
führ du sie selbst auf rechter Bahn,
damit ihr Fuß nicht gleiten kann.

6 Hilf, daß sie dich, Gott! überall
vor Augen haben allzumal,
und sich befleißen jederzeit
der Tugend, Zucht und Ehrbarkeit.

7 Wo sie ausgehen oder ein,
da laß du sie gesegnet sein,
daß sie die Lebenszeit und Jahr
zubringen christlich immerdar.

8 Wenn sie dann enden ihren Lauf,
so nimm sie, Herr! zu dir hinauf,
auf daß samt ihnen wir zugleich
dich preisen dort in deinem Reich.

9 Gott, Vater, Sohn und heilger Geist
von dem uns alle Gnad herfleußt,
wir loben dich, wir danken dir,
mit unsern Kindern für and für!