Es wollt der Herre segnen dich

Here is my translation of the canticle paraphrase, “Es wollt der Herre segnen dich” (C. Spangenberg, 1582), the 11th Old Testament “canticle” (not restricted to the traditional liturgical canticles) in Spangenberg’s collection, based on the Aaronic Benediction in Numbers 6, with title “The Christian church’s daily benediction psalm, Num. 6.” The appointed melody is “Es wollt uns Gott genädig sein.”

 

THE Lord His blessing set on thee,
Thy soul e’er safely keeping;
His mercy on thee constantly
Abound, awake or sleeping;
The Lord forgive thee graciously,
His face make shine upon thee;
The Lord lift up unceasingly
His countenance upon thee,
And give thee peace undying,
All blessedness supplying.

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Es wollt der Herre segnen dich
und allezeit behüten,
und lassen walten stetiglich,
über dir seine Güte,
leuchten dir mit seim Angesicht
und gnädig sein dein Sünden,
sein Antlitz heben über dich,
und dir zu allen Stunden,
Fried und Seligkeit geben.