Wir blicken auf, o Herr, zu dir

Here is my translation of the cornerstone-laying hymn, “Wir blicken auf, o Herr, zu dir” (Anon., 1870?), in GGELB #141 with melody assignment “Erhalt uns herr bei deinem Wort.” No author or earlier instance is known, and it is likely the product of the hymnal committee, as was the previous hymn for the laying of a cornerstone, GGELB #140, “Wir legen, Herr, in deinem Namen.” C. H. L. Schuette provided a translation of that hymn, but not, evidently, of this. Schuette’s “O Lord, Our God, Accept, We Pray” is for the occasion of the consecration or dedication of a church (i.e., once it has been built).
 
 

WE look, O Lord, to Thee this day
As here this cornerstone we lay,
To build a temple where Thy Word
Shall ever be proclaimed and heard.

2 Already Thou by Christ, Thy Son,
The first foundation-work hast done,
And of the church each member made
A living stone, within her laid.

3 Thus holy we regard the place
Where Christ brings us before Thy face,
The blessing pledges and doth give,
And on our lips Thy name doth live.

4 Then bless us and with us abide,
And bless this cornerstone beside,
Keep us thereon without dissent
By Thy dear Word and Sacrament.

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Wir blicken auf, o Herr, zu dir
und legen diesen Grundstein hier
zum Tempel, darin fort und fort
verkündet werden soll dein Wort.

2 Du hast durch Christum, deinen Sohn,
den Grund in uns geleget schon,
und jedes Glied der Kirche dein
geschaffen zum lebendgen Stein;

3 Drum auch die Stätt uns heilig ist,
da uns versammelt Jesus Christ,
da Segen er verheißt und schenkt,
wo deines Namens man gedenkt.

4 So segn uns denn und wohn uns bei;
auch diesen Grundstein benedei;
erhalt auf ihm uns ungetrennt
mit deinem Wort und Sakrament.