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Cantata BWV 139
Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 139 - Happy is the man, who to his God

Event: Chorale Cantata for the 23rd Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: Philippians 3: 17-21; Gospel: Matthew 22: 15-22
Text: Johann Christoph Rube (Mvts. 1, 6); Anon (Mvts. 2-5)
Chorale Text: Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Oboe d'amore I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott
Happy is the man, who to his God
Recht kindlich kann verlassen!
can abandon himself just like a child!
Den mag gleich Sünde, Welt und Tod
Though he may at once by sin, the world and death
Und alle Teufel hassen,
and all the devils be hated,
So bleibt er dennoch wohlvergnügt,
he nevertheless remains well contented,
Wenn er nur Gott zum Freunde kriegt.
if only he gets God for his friend.

2

Aria [Tenor]

Violino concertante, Continuo

Gott ist mein Freund; was hilft das Toben,
God is my friend; what use is all the raging
So wider mich ein Feind erhoben!
that an enemy has raised against me!
Ich bin getrost bei Neid und Haß.
I am consoled in the midst of envy and hate .
Ja, redet nur die Wahrheit spärlich,
Yes, though you speak the truth only rarely,
Seid immer falsch, was tut mir das?
though you are always false, what is that to me ?
Ihr Spötter seid mir ungefährlich.
You scoffers are to me no danger.

3

Recitative [Alto]

Continuo

Der Heiland sendet ja die Seinen
The Saviour does send his people
Recht mitten in der Wölfe Wut.
in the very midst of raging wolves.
Um ihn hat sich der Bösen Rotte
Around them the evil mob
Zum Schaden und zum Spotte
for harm and mockery
Mit List gestellt;
has gathered with cunning;
Doch da sein Mund so weisen Ausspruch tut,
however, since his mouth makes such wise utterances,
So schützt er mich auch vor der Welt.
he will then protect me also from the world.

4

Aria [Bass]

Oboe d'amore, Violino, Corno

Das Unglück schlägt auf allen Seiten
From all sides misfortune wraps
Um mich ein zentnerschweres Band.
around me a very heavy chain.
Doch plötzlich erscheinet die helfende Hand.
But suddenly appears his helping hand.
Mir scheint des Trostes Licht von weiten;
The light of comfort shines on me from afar;
Da lern ich erst, daß Gott allein
that's when I learn that God alone
Der Menschen bester Freund muß sein.
must be the best friend of mankind.

5

Recitative [Soprano]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Ja, trag ich gleich den größten Feind in mir,
Yes, no matter that I bear my greatest enemy within myself,
Die schwere Last der Sünden,
the heavy burden of my sins.
Mein Heiland läßt mich Ruhe finden.
My saviour will let me find inner peace.
Ich gebe Gott, was Gottes ist,
I give to God what belongs to God
Das Innerste der Seelen.
my innermost soul.
Will er sie nun erwählen,
If he is willing to choose it for his own,
So weicht der Sünden Schuld, so fällt des Satans List.
then the guilt of my sins grows less, the deceit of Satan falls away.

6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo

Dahero Trotz der Höllen Heer!
For this reason I defy the hosts of hell!
Trotz auch des Todes Rachen!
I defy also the jaws of death!
Trotz aller Welt! mich kann nicht mehr
I defy the whole world! No more can
Ihr Pochen traurig machen!
its blows make me sorrowful!
Gott ist mein Schutz, mein Hilf und Rat;
God is my protection, help and counsel;
Wohl dem, der Gott zum Freunde hat!
Happy is the man, who has God for his friend!

--

This Translation in Parallel Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (October 2002)
Contributed by Francis Browne (October 2002)

Cantata BWV 139: Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott for 23rd Sunday after Trinity (1724)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 139 Text: German-1 | German-6 | German-7 | NBA Text
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-14
Catalan-1 | Chinese-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-6 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-2 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-3 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott [BWV 139/1,~2-5,6]

English Translations in Interlinear/Parallel Format (English-3): Sorted by BWV Number | Sorted by Title | Sorted by Event | Note on English Translations


Texts & Translations: Main Page | Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Other Vocal BWV 225-249 | Chorales BWV 250-438 | Geistliche Lieder BWV 439-507 | AMN BWV 508-524 | Other Vocal 1081-1164 | BWV Anh | Chorale Texts | Emblemata | Sources | Poets & Composers
Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4




 

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Last update: Monday, January 09, 2023 14:22