O, Blest the House, Whatever Befall

Representative Text

1 Oh, blest the house, whate'er befall,
where Jesus Christ is all in all!
A home that is not wholly his—
how sad and poor and dark it is!

2 Oh, blest that house where faith is found
and all in hope and love abound;
they trust their God and serve him still
and do in all his holy will.

3 Oh, blest the parents who gives heed
unto their children's foremost need
and weary not of care or cost.
May none to them and heav'n be lost!

4 Blest such a house, it prospers well;
in peace and joy the parents dwell,
and in their children's lives is shown
how richly God can bless his own.

5 Then here will I and mine today
a solemn promise make and say:
though all the world forsake his Word,
I and my house will serve the Lord.

Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #760

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

Author: Christoph Carl Ludwig von Pfeil

Pfeil, Christoph Carl Ludwig, Baron von, was born January 20, 1712, at Grünstadt, near Worms, where his father, Quirin Heinrich v. Pfeil, was then in the service of the Count of Leiningen. He matriculated at the University of Halle in 1728, as a student of law. After completing his course at the University of Tübingen, he was appointed, in 1732, Württemberg secretary of legation at Regensburg; then, in 1737, Justiz-und-Regierungsrath at Stuttgart; in 1745 Tutelar-raths-Präsident; in 1755 Kreisdirectorialgesandter to the Swabian Diet; in 1758 Geheim Legationsrath; and in 1759 Geheimrath. He found himself however at last no longer able to cooperate in carrying out the absolutism of the Württemberg prime minister Count Montmartin. When hi… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O, blest the house, whatever befall
Title: O, Blest the House, Whatever Befall
German Title: Wohl einem Haus, da Jesus Christ
Author: Christoph Carl Ludwig von Pfeil (1735)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 7 of 7)

Ambassador Hymnal #327

TextPage Scan

Christian Worship (1993) #506

TextPage Scan

Christian Worship #760

TextPage Scan

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #190

TextPage Scan

Lutheran Service Book #862

Text

Lutheran Worship #467

TextPage Scan

Trinity Psalter Hymnal #548

Include 26 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us