O Herr, vor dem sich Erd und Himmel beuget

Here is my translation of the church dedication hymn, “O Herr, vor dem sich Erd und Himmel beuget” (Albert Knapp, d. 1864), in GGELB #144 with melody assignment “Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen” and note: “From the Latin, 3rd c. AD or earlier.” Meant is the Latin hymn for church dedication, “Christe cunctorum Dominator alme,” composed probably in the 9th c. AD. This German paraphrase appears in Knapp’s Evangelischer Liederschatz (1837ff.), thence into various hymnals, e.g., Lübeck 1839, Schaffhausen 1867 (Ref.), Saxony 1883. Knapp’s stanza 1 includes ideas from Latin st. 1–2; other ideas of Latin st. 2 are also included in German st. 8. Stanza 4 combines Latin 5–6, the latter exorcised of devils, however. Stanza 6 combines ideas of Latin sts. 8–9. Common today in Anglophone countries is an abbreviated form of “Only-Begotten Son of God eternal,” a non-rhyming translation from the Latin by M. J. Blacker.

 

O LORD, adored by earth and heav’n supernal,
God’s Son, begotten ere all worlds eternal,
Graciously hear our grateful adoration
And supplication. (1–2)

2 Lord, to Thy service is this house appointed:
Here do Thine own, with Spirit’s joy anointed,
Eat of the Blood and Body that Thou gavest,
By which Thou savest. (3)

3 Here in Thy holy fount are debts erasèd,
Here all the damage of the soul effacèd,
Here babes to Thee, who death hast subjugated,
Are consecrated. (4)

4 Here wilt Thou heal the sick, the weary quicken,
Lighten the blind, give peace to those sin-stricken.
Here shall the heart stung by abundant sorrow
Fresh courage borrow. (5–6)

5 Here is the forecourt of the Lord immortal,
Here is His Holy Place, and heaven’s portal,
Which open stands to all who seek the Savior
And life forever. (7)

6 Though in the tempest all things else be flying,
Still stands the church, a rock the storm defying,
In Jesus’ shelter, hell’s  disdaining,
Safely remaining. (8–9)

7 Therefore rejoice we at this consecration,
Praying: Dear Lord, receive our supplication,
And on this church bestow in gracious favor
Thy blessing ever. (10)

8 Let nothing rob the joy of hearts elated,
Let this glad day be often celebrated,
Feed, Lord, Thy people oft the gives of heaven
Which here are given. (11)

9 Glory to Thee, O Father, be forever,
To Thee, God’s Son, to Thee, sweet Comfort-giver!
For endless ages, teach us, who confess Thee,
Further to bless Thee. (12)

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

O Herr, vor dem sich Erd und Himmel beuget,
du, Gottes Sohn, von Ewigkeit gezeuget,
blick auf der Deinen Flehn und Dankeslieder
huldreich hernieder!

2 Dies Haus, o Herr, ist deinem Dienst geweihet;
Hier schmecken deine Gläubgen hocherfreuet
das Blut, den Leib, den du zu unserm Leben
dahingegeben.

3 Hier wird in deinem hellgen Wasserbade
die Schuld getilgt, geheilt der Seelenschade;
hier weihen wir, o Todesüberwinder,
dir unsre Kinder.

4 Hier finden Kranke Heilung, Kraft die Müden,
die Blinden Licht, die Sünder Seelenfrieden;
hier athmen freier bei des Lebens Schmerzen
die wunden Herzen.

5 Des Ewgen Vorhof ist an diesem Orte,
das Heiligthum des Herrn, des Himmels Pforte,
stets offen allen, die dem ewgen Leben
entgegenstreben.

6 Mag bei der Stürme Wüthen alles zittern,
die Kirche steht, ein Fels in Ungewittern,
und bleibet bei der Hölle wildstem Trutze
in Christi Schutze.

7 Drum freun wir uns der heilgen Tempelweihe,
und bitten: Herrz, Allgütiger, verleihe,
daß uns geleite dein mildreicher Segen
auf allen Wegen!

8 Nichts raube uns des Herzens fromme Freude;
oft kehre dieser Tag zurück; oft weide
dein Volk, o Herr, sich an dem Himmelsgaben,
die hier uns laben!

9 Lob und Anbetung töne dir, o Vater!
Dir, Gottes Sohn, dir, Tröster und Berather!
Lehr uns, dein Volk, durch alle Ewigkeiten
dein Lob ausbreiten!

LATIN (from Daniel, for reference)

1 Christe cunctorum Dominator alme,
Patris aeterni genitus ab ore,
Supplicum vota pariterque hymnum
Cerne benignus.

2 Cerne, quod puro Deus in honore
Plebs tua supplex resonet in aula
Annua cuius redeunt colenda
Tempora festa.

3 Haec domus rite tibi dedicata
Noscitur, in qua populus sacratum
Corpus assumit, bibit et beati
Sanguinis haustum.

4 Hic sacrosancti latices veternas
Diluunt culpas, perimuntque noxas
Chrismate vero genus ut creetur
Christicolarum.

5 Hic salus aegris, medicina fessis,
Lumen orbatis, veniaque nostris
Fertur offensis, timor adque moeror
Pellitur omnis.

6 Daemonis saeva perit hic rapina,
Pervicax monstrum pavet et retenta
Corpora linquens fugit in remotas
Ocyus umbras.

7 Hic locus nempe vocitatur aula
Regis immensi, vineaque caeli
Vitae quae sanctos patriam petentes
Accipit omnes.

8 Turbo quem nullus quatit, aut vagantes
Diruunt venti penetrantque nimbi;
Non tetris laedit piceus tenebris
Tartarus horrens.

9 Quaesumus ergo Deus ut sereno
Annuas vultu, famulos gubernans,
Qui tui summo celebrant amore
Gaudia templi.

10 Nulla nos vitae crucient molestas:
Sint dies laeti placidaeque noctes:
Nullus ex nobis pereunte mundo
Sentiat ignes.

11 Haec dies in qua tibi consecratam
Conspicis aram, tribuat perenne
Gaudium nobis, vigeatque longo
Tempore usu.

12 Gloriam summum resonet Parentem;
Gloria Natum, pariterque sanctum
Spiritum dulci moduletur hymno
Omne per aevum. Amen.