She is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
Malachi 2:13
Words: Johann G. Schöner, in Vermischte geistliche Lieder und Gedichte (Nuremberg, Germany: 1790) (Erhebt euch, frohe Lobgesänge). Translated from German to English by Frances E. Cox, Sacred Hymns from the German, 1841, page 71.
Music: Erbarmung German tune (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Schöner or Cox (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Raise high the notes of exultation
To God’s bright throne with voices clear;
The mighty Lord of all creation
Lends to our songs a father’s ear.
Refrain
Eternal Lord of Heaven above,
Look down and bless their plighted love;
Look down and bless their plighted love.
May peace and love, your lives adorning,
Attend you all your course along;
Your Christian walk, each night and morning,
More steadfast make with prayer and song.
Refrain
By God’s own Word each action measure,
Let Christ your great exemplar be;
Still fix your hearts on heavenly treasure,
We hasten tow’rds eternity.
Refrain
With cheerful faith in God confide ye,
The pilgrim’s staff with courage take;
And, till the silent grave divide ye,
God and each other ne’er forsake.
Refrain