Wir legen, Herr, in deinem Namen

Here is my translation of the cornerstone-laying hymn, “Wir legen, Herr, in deinem Namen” (Anon., 1870?), in GGELB #140 with melody assignment “Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten.” No author or earlier instance is known. It may be product of a member of the hymn committee. Sufficient hymns for such an occasion were found wanting otherwise. Still in 1895, Lochner includes in his Liturgische Formulare, from his earlier liturgical journal, an anonymous (?his own) hymn for the laying of a cornerstone: “Herr, hilf, laß wohl gelingen.” A different translation, “In Thy dear name and by Thy favor,” was included already in ELH (Ohio, 1880) by C. H. L. Schuette, and later in ALH (1930), where the melody “O daß ich tausend Zungen hätte” is assigned.

 

LORD, in Thy name a new foundation
We here would lay, Thy house to raise.
In mercy speak Thine affirmation
And let it prosper for Thy praise.
Thy Spirit here let mighty be
Through Thy pure Word continually.

2 Firm in the faith, O Jesus, ground us
On Thee, the Rock, our Lord alone,
That here Thy hymns may echo round us,
O Christ, the church’s Cornerstone!
Anoint and consecrate to Thee
This stone our Bethel for to be.

3 Grant us success in this endeavor,
Which only to Thy service tends;
Look on our off’ring with Thy favor;
Be Thou Thy people’s strong defense.
Then shall we all sing joyfully
All worship, laud, and praise to Thee.

4 Preserve us in the faith unerring
The Word and Sacraments defend,
Grant none to rob our crown enduring;
Yea, with us be until the end,
Built on Thyself, the one, true ground,
And in Thy grace’s cov’nant found.

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

OHIO 1880:

1 In Thy dear name and by Thy favor,
This day we lay the corner-stone,
To build a house, O God and Savior,
To Thee, and to Thy praise alone.
Here let Thy Spirit by Thy Word
Perform Thy work of grace, dear Lord.

2 O let us all by faith be grounded,
Lord Jesus Christ, on Thee alone;
That is our midst Thy praise be sounded,
Who art the Church's Corner-stone.
To keep us in Thy faith and fear,
Build Thee and us a temple here.

3 Accept our off'rings, we implore Thee,
And bless the work we have begun;
To Thee alone and to Thy glory
This building consecrate, when done;
Then will we hither come and raise
Our hearts to Thee in thanks and praise.

4 Thro' saving faith preserve us ever
In Thy pure Word and Sacrament;
Be with us all, forsake us never;
To serve Thee make our hearts intent;
And when we die, O grant that we
Be found in cov'nant grace with Thee.

GERMAN

Wir legen, Herr, in deinem Namen
den Grund zu einem Heiligthum.
Sprich gnädig dazu Ja und Amen
und laß es dienen dir zum Ruhm.
Dein Geist hier walte fort und fort
durchs reine, lautre Gotteswort.

2 Im Glauben gründe fest uns alle
auf dich, den Fels, Herr Jesu Christ;
daß unter uns dein Lob erschalle,
der du der Kirche Eckstein bist.
O salbe, weihe diesen Stein,
daß er uns mög ein Bethel sein.

3 Gedeihen gieb zu diesem Baue
der deinem Dienst alleine gilt;
auf unsre Opfer gnädig schaue;
sei deines Volkes Schirm und Schild.
Dann singen fröhlich alle wir
Anbetung, Preis und Ehre dir.

4 Bewahr uns stets im rechten Glauben
beim reinen Wort und Sakrament;
laß niemand unsre Krone rauben;
ja, bleibe bei uns bis ans End!
Erbaut auf dich, den rechten Grund,
erhalt uns all im Gnadenbund.