O Happy Home Where Thou art Loved Most Dearly - #626

"O Happy Home Where Thou art Loved Most Dearly"
by C. J. Philipp Spitta, 1801-1895
Translated by Sarah L. Findlater, 1823-1907

1. O happy home where Thou art loved most dearly,
Thou faithful Friend and Savior full of grace,
And where among the guests there never cometh
One who can hold such high and honored place!
O happy home where all, in heart united,
In holy faith and blessed hope are one,
Whom bitter death a little while divideth,
Yet cannot end the union here begun!

2. O happy home where two, in heart united,
In holy faith, are clinging unto Thee;
Where both, to Thee a joyful service bringing,
Hear and obey Thy voice most willingly;
Where both, to Thee in truth forever cleaving,
In joy, in grief, make Thee their only Stay
And fondly hope in Thee to be believing
Both in the good and in the evil day.

3. O happy home whose little ones are given
Early to Thee in humble faith and prayer,
To Thee, their Friend, who from the heights of heaven
Guides them and guards with more than mother's care!
O happy home where each one serves Thee, lowly,
Whatever his appointed work may be,
Till every common task seems great and holy
When it is done, O Lord, as unto Thee!

4. O happy home where Thou art not forgotten
When joy is overflowing, full, and free!
O happy home where every wounded spirit
Is brought, O great Physician, unto Thee,
Until at last, when earthly toil is ended,
All meet Thee in the blessed home above,
From whence Thou camest, where Thou hast ascended,
Thine everlasting home of peace and love!

Hymn #626
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Gen. 18:19
Author: C. J. Philipp Spitta, 1833, ab.
Translated by: Sarah L. Findlater, 1855, alt.
Titled: "O selig Haus, wo man dich aufgenommen"
Composer: Eduard Niemeyer, 1854
Tune: "O selig Haus"