Let your word flow into our hearts like a river. Clear our minds and let us hear

German translation: Lass dein Wort ...

18:33 May 15, 2002

English to German translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Religion

English term or phrase: Let your word flow into our hearts like a river. Clear our minds and let us hear

"Dear God, Let your word flow into our hearts like a river.
Clear our minds and let us hear your holy voice."
This is a prayer. I need a native German speaker to confirm or correct my translation below:
Lieber Gott,
Möge Dein Wort wie ein Fluss in unsern Herzen hineinfliessen. Befreie unsere Seelen und lass uns Deine heilige Stimme hören. Amen

Holly Hart KudoZ activity Questions: 154 (1 open) (6 closed without grading) Answers: 259 United States
Local time: 21:49

German translation:Lass dein Wort ...

Explanation:
Lass dein Wort gleich einem Fluss in unsere Herzen strömen. Läutere unseren Geist und lass uns deine heilige Stimme hören.

"Befreie unsere Seelen" might go too far here — what seems to be said is that the mind must be purified so it will be receptive to the divine. It may come down to the same thing, but "Geist" seems to be closer to "mind" than "Seele" (which would be "soul"). Tricky.

Selected response from:

NGK
United States
Local time: 21:49

Grading comment

I especially liked the differentiation 'Geist' vs. 'Seele'since I was struggling with this as well. Many thanks for your time and explanation! And thanks to everyone for responding.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +2

see phrase

Tanja Wohlgemuth

4 +1

Lass Dein Wort unsere Herzen fuellen wie ein frischer Quell.

Ursula Peter-Czichi

Lass dein Wort ...

NGK

Answers

18 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

see phrase

Explanation:
Your translation is nearly perfect:
"Möge Dein Wort wie ein Fluss in unsere Herzen hineinfließen / (maybe better: einfließen). Befreie unsere Seelen und lass uns Deine heilige Stimme hören. Amen"

Tanja Wohlgemuth
Germany
Local time: 04:49
Native speaker of:

German

46 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

Lass Dein Wort unsere Herzen fuellen wie ein frischer Quell.

Explanation:
Oeffne unsere Sinnen und lass uns Deine heilige Stimme hoeren.

just an alternative

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Note added at 2002-05-15 20:00:17 (GMT)
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You may like to think about changing the salutation. \"Lieber Gott, ... \" makes it sound a little like a child\'s prayer, when the content does not support that notion. An alternative would be:

Lass Dein Wort, Gott, (followed by anyone of the nice versions here..)

Ursula Peter-Czichi
United States
Local time: 22:49

59 mins confidence:

Lass dein Wort ...

NGK
United States
Local time: 21:49
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English,

German
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

I especially liked the differentiation 'Geist' vs. 'Seele'since I was struggling with this as well. Many thanks for your time and explanation! And thanks to everyone for responding.

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