O perfect Love, all human thought transcending, Lowly we kneel in pray’r before Thy throne, That theirs may be the love which knows no ending, Whom Thou forevermore dost join in one. 2. O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance Of tender charity and steadfast faith, Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance, With childlike trust, that fears nor pain nor death. 3. Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow; Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife, And to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow That dawns upon eternal love and life. Dorothy F. Bloomfield, 1883. 445 L. M. O blest the house, whate’er befall, Where Jesus Christ is all in all; Yea, if He were not dwelling there, How poor and dark and void it were! 2. O blest that house where faith ye find, And all within have set their mind To trust their God and serve Him still And do in all His holy will! 3. O blest the parents who give heed Unto their children’s foremost need And weary not of care or cost! To them and heaven shall none be lost. 4. Blest such a house, it prospers well, In peace and joy the parents dwell, And in their children’s lot is shown How richly God can bless His own. 5. Then here will I and mine to-day A solemn covenant make and say: Though all the world forsake Thy Word, I and my house will serve the Lord. C. C. von Pfeil, 1782; C. Winkworth, tr., a. 446 L. M. Happy the man who feareth God, Whose feet His holy ways have trod; Thine own good hand shall nourish thee, And well and happy shalt thou be. 2. Lo! to that man these blessings cleave Who in God’s holy fear doth live; From him the ancient curse hath fled By Adam’s race inherited. 3. Out of Mount Zion God shall send And crown with joy thy latter end, That thou Jerusalem may’st see In favor and prosperity. 4. He shall be with thee in thy ways And give thee health and strength of days; Yea, thou shalt children’s children see, And peace on Israel shall be. 5. Praise God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One; As ’twas through ages heretofore, Is now, and shall be evermore. Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr., abr. 447 8, 7, 6 l Gracious Savior, gentle Shepherd, Children all are dear to Thee; Gathered with Thine arms and carried In Thy bosom may they be; Sweetly, fondly, safely tended, From all want and danger free.