Wer wird Herr in der Hütten dein

Here is my translation of the psalm paraphrase, “Wer wird Herr in der Hütten dein” (Cornelius Becker, d. 1604), based on Psalm XV, Domine quis habitabit, with melody assignment “Christ der du bist der helle Tag.” We skip Psalm XIV, for which Becker gives Luther’s “Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl,” translated already as “The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess.” 

On that Psalm XIV, Vierling (Biblia, 713) writes, “It is a prophecy and psalm of instruction, teaching how all human doctrine and life without faith is an abomination in the sight of God (v. 3), and its best worship is utter service of the belly, which they thereby fatten, devouring the goods of the people (v. 4). But none knows nor understands true divine service, though they teach and extol the Law of God; yea, they shame and blaspheme the Word of God. When they are rebuked, they refuse to hear of confidence or faith in God. This must then be resisted with supplications, which shall surely be heard, as the last verse says, and the Gospel of Christ shall come. For this psalm rebukes particularly the Jews prior to the birth of Christ, which tormented the people with the Law. And it promises or prophesies the advent of Christ, when it speaks of the salvation out of Zion (v. 7). For out of Zion the Gospel and the Spirit came. It pertains to the First and Third Commandments, for it glorifies the Word of God and promises Christ, and also rebukes hypocrites and those who teach for greed and the belly. And it is in the First and Second Petitions, where we pray for the hallowing of His name and increase of His kingdom.” — On our present Psalm XV, Vierling (op. cit., 714), writes more briefly, “It is a psalm of instruction, teaching the right understanding of the Law, and truly good life and true, good works as the fruit of the Spirit and faith, namely, being unwavering before God (v. 2) through true faith and well-doing toward one’s neighbor, and avoiding the wickedness of the ungodly and their hypocrisy, wherein they serve God with jugglery and omit the true works. It pertains to the Third Commandment, concerning the Sabbath, wherein we are to hear and learn God’s Word, and it is in the Third Petition.”

 

LORD, who shall in Thy tent abide,
And safely from all harm reside,
Yea, who shall on Thy mountain dwell,
Where godly fear is honored well?

2 He that in life unwav’ring goes,
Is upright in all that he does,
And from his heart speaks openly
The truth without hypocrisy.

3 He that to neighbors does no ill,
But keeps his tongue restrained and still,
Lest he by some reproach defame
His neighbor’s honor and his name.

4 He that vile persons doth avoid,
And with the faithful is employed,
That swears no oath for empty show,
But what he swears he keepeth so.

5 He that doth, lending, seek no gain,
Nor for a bribe the lowly pain;
He that doth these shall surely dwell,
And all his deeds shall serve him well.

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Wer wird HErr in der Hütten dein,
Wohnend vor Unfall ſicher ſein,
Und bleiben auf deim Berge ſchon,
Da Gottes Furcht findt ihren Lohn?

2 Wer ohne Wandel einher geht,
Und mit ſeim Thun zu Recht beſteht,
Redt jederzeit die Warheit frey,
Von Hertzen Grund ohn Heucheley.

3 Wer kein arges dem Nechsten thut,
Hält seine Zung in guter Hut,
Daß sie nicht durch Verleumbdung schwer
Jemand verletz an Glimpff und Ehr.

4 Wer nichts auff loſe Leute helt,
Sondern zum Frommen ſich geſellt,
Schwert keinen Eyd zu falſchem Schein,
Was er zuſagt, muß ghalten ſeyn.

5 Wer ſein Geld nicht auff Wucher giebt,
Umb Gſchenck den Armen nicht betrübt;
Wer das thut, der wird bleiben wohl,
All ſein Thun ihm gelingen ſol.