Von dir, o Herr, kommt aller Segen

Here is my translation of the wedding hymn, “Von dir, o Herr, kommt aller Segen” (Paul Henkel, 1825), in NEGB #131 with melody assignment “Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten.” The translation in The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.), given below, consists of 5 stanzas of Common Meter.

 

FROM Thee, O Lord, comes every blessing;
Thy blessing on all lands doth rest,
As every man must be confessing.
Yea, marriage too Thy hand hath blest.
This bound Thou deign’st to consecrate
For men a wholesome, good estate.

2 The blessing in Thy name embedded
Upon this man and wife we lay
And solemnly declare them wedded.
Oh, bless them with Thy grace, we pray!
Let them in blessing go from hence
With Thee their Helper and Defense.

3 Let them in love be living ever,
And one another truly love;
Thou only art of all the Giver
That for the good of man doth prove.
Oh, teach them to perform Thy will,
So shall they be more blessed still!

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK 

Thou Lord from whom all blessings flow
Thy blessings fill each land;
All they who seek thy will to do,
Will find thy bounteous hand.

2 All states of life are blest by thee,
By thee, our Sovereign Lord;
Such must the state of marriage be,
According to thy word.

3 It was by thy command ordain'd,
Confirm'd and ratified.
And for a great and noble end,
Both blest and sanctified.

4 We join this couple in thy name,
Bless them O gracious God,
And let thy blessings rest on them,
Which is from thee bestow'd.

5 Be Thou heir Counsel and their Guide,
Direct them in Thy ways;
And strengthen them on ev'ry side:
In peace to spend their days.

GERMAN

Von dir, o Herr, kommt aller Segen,
du segnest ja das ganze Land;
dein Segen findt man allerwegen,
du segnest auch den Ehestand;
du hast denselben selbst geweiht,
zum Heil der Menschen allezeit.

2 Wir segnen nun in deinem Namen,
dies Ehepaar hier vor uns stehn,
wir sprechen sie ehlich zusammen,
laß sie gesegnet von hier gehn.
Ach, segne sie mit deiner Gnad,
sei du ihr Schutz, ihr Hilf und Rath.

3 Laß sie in deiner Liebe leben,
so lieben sie einander recht;
nur du allein kannst alles geben,
was dienet Menschlichem Geschlecht.
Ach, lehr sie thun den Willen dein,
so werden sie gesegnet sein.
‡