Wir wollen also nun beschliessen

 Here is my translation of the hymn for the end of school, “Wir wollen also nun beschliessen” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #129 with melody assignment “Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) makes this two separate hymns of two stanzas each, both in Common Meter: “The Labors of Our Teachers Bless” and “Thy Heav’nly Blessing, Jesus, Grant.” Thoughts are more developed in the English versions.

 

NOW let our lesson-time be ended;
The day’s instruction now is through.
God, bless our efforts here expended,
To teach aright as is our due.
Let our departure therefore be
Commended, Lord, alone to Thee.

2 In Jesus’ name let us be going;
O Jesus, let Thy help be known!
Speak Thine Amen upon our doing,
Then shall the cause remain Thine own.
Lord, Thine Amen alone shall be
Our own Amen eternally.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

1 The labors of our teachers bless,
Impress them on our mind;
To their endeavors grant success,
Let us the blessing find.

2 Lord, grant us knowledge, zeal and love,
Our little faith increase,
And make us wise, that we may prove,
The things that works our peace.

***

Thy heav'nly blessing, Jesus grant,
To these, the present youth.
Give them such light and grace they want,
To understand the truth.

2 Engage their hearts with fervent zeal,
To serve Thee all their days,
And cause their hearts and minds to feel
The workings of Thy grace.

GERMAN

Wir wollen also nun beschliessen
und enden unsern Unterricht.
Gott, segne, was wir uns befliessen,
zu lehren recht nach unsrer Pflicht.
Laß unsern Ausgang dir allein,
nur dir, o Herr, befohlen sein.

2 Wir schließen nun in Jesu Namen;
wollst selber, Jesu, bei uns sein.
Sprich zu der Sache selber Amen,
so bleibt die Sache selber dein.
Dein Amen, Jesu, nur allein,
wird unser Amen ewig sein.
‡