Tuesday, February 28, 2012
On Marriage: For Dr. Heidenreich
"I never translated a hymn Dr. Heidenreich asked me to translate, so I suppose this is my poor oblation instead."
Tune: Tallis' Canon.
Pr Preus has humbled me by bestowing on me this honor of which I am not worthy. I give thanks to God for the tremendous gifts He has bestowed on him and on Rev. Stephen Van Der Hoek, a friend in Australia, who subsequently wrote the following tune for the hymn, graciously dedicated to me as well.
3 What blessings come from woman's womb,
Through which our God did once assume
Our flesh and blood and sanctified
The life of every human child!
4 Forgive us if we go astray
And leave the one and narrow way;
Call us with words of comfort sure,
Which pardon sin and make us pure.
5 Grant that as Christ so loved his Bride
He gave himself for her and died,
To cleanse her from her sin and shame
And give to her His holy name,
6 So may each man of Christian faith
Cling kindly to his wife till death,
So that in every family
We see Your love's pure mystery.
7 Grant that as now the Church receives
The glory that her Savior gives,
As Sarah called her husband lord,
Let every wife embrace this word.
8 Let every man provide for them
Whom you have given unto him,
Give every mother strength and prayer
For those You put within her care.
9 Drive far from us adultery,
Lest we Your wrath and anger see,
Drive from our hearts all lusts perverse
That would Your pure design reverse.
10 Keep well our children chaste and pure,
And when the world and flesh allure,
Grant them repentance, guard their faith,
Return them to Your Spirit's bath.
11 And give to each a Christian spouse,
And keep Your Word within their house,
And if it be Your gracious will,
Their home with many children fill.
12 All thanks to God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
To Him in whom we live and move
Be all our praise and all our love.
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