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Cantata BWV 170
Vergnügte Ruh', beliebte Seelenlust
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 170 - Contented peace

Event: Solo Cantata (for Alto) for the 6th Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: Romans 6: 3-11; Gospel: Matthew 5: 20-26
Text: Georg Christian Lehms

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Aria [Alto]

Oboe d'amore e Violino I all' unisono, Violino II, Viola, Continuo

Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust,
Contented peace,beloved delight of the soul,
Dich kann man nicht bei Höllensünden,
you cannot be found among the sins of hell,
Wohl aber Himmelseintracht finden;

but only where there is heavenly harmony;
Du stärkst allein die schwache Brust.
You alone strengthen the weak breast.
Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust,
Contented peace,beloved delight of the soul,
Drum sollen lauter Tugendgaben
For this reason nothing but the gifts of virtue
In meinem Herzen Wohnung haben.
should have any place in my heart.

2

Recitative [Alto]

Continuo

Die Welt, das Sündenhaus,
The world, that place of sin,
Bricht nur in Höllenlieder aus
bursts out only in hellish songs
Und sucht durch Hass und Neid
and strives through hatred and envy
Des Satans Bild an sich zu tragen.
to bear upon itself the image of Satan.
Ihr Mund ist voller Ottergift,
Its mouth is full of snake's venom
Der oft die Unschuld tödlich trifft,
that often deals a mortal blow to the innocent
Und will allein von Racha ! Racha!sagen.
And only wants to say 'racha' [you worthless person]
Gerechter Gott, wie weit
Most just God, how far
Ist doch der Mensch von dir entfernet;
are people therefore estranged from you;
Du liebst, jedoch sein Mund
you love, but their mouth
Macht Fluch und Feindschaft kund
proclaims curses and enmity
Und will den Nächsten nur mit Füßen treten.
And they only want to tread their neighbour underfoot.
Ach! diese Schuld ist schwerlich zu verbeten
.
Ah! it is difficult to gain pardon for such guilt through prayer.

3

Aria [Alto]

Organo obligato a 2 claviature, Violino I/II e Viola all' unisono, Organo

Wie jammern mich doch die verkehrten Herzen,
How sorry I feel therefore for those perverted hearts
Die dir, mein Gott, so sehr zuwider sein;

that against you, my God, are so set
Ich zittre recht und fühle tausend Schmerzen,

I truly shudder and feel a thousand pangs
Wenn sie sich nur an Rach und Hass erfreun.

When they take delight only in vengeance and hatred.
Gerechter Gott, was magst du doch gedenken,

Most just God, what must you then think
Wenn sie allein mit rechten Satansränken
when with their truly satanic intrigues
Dein scharfes Strafgebot so frech verlacht.

They so insolently deride your strict commands about punishment..
Ach! ohne Zweifel hast du so gedacht:

Ah! without doubt you have thought:
Wie jammern mich doch die verkehrten Herzen!

How sorry I feel therefore for those perverted hearts!

4

Recitative [Alto]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Wer sollte sich demnach
Who in these circumstances would
Wohl hier zu leben wünschen,

wish to live here at all
Wenn man nur Hass und Ungemach
when only hate and misfortune
Vor seine Liebe sieht?

Are seen in place of God's love?
Doch, weil ich auch den Feind
But since also my enemy
Wie meinen besten Freund
as if he were my best friend
Nach Gottes Vorschrift lieben soll,

should be loved by me according to God's commandment
So flieht
then there depart
Mein Herze Zorn und Groll
from my heart anger and resentment
Und wünscht allein bei Gott zu leben,

and my wish is to live for God alone
Der selbst die Liebe heißt.

Who is Love itself
Ach, eintrachtvoller Geist,

Ah, spirit filled with harmony,
Wenn wird er dir doch nur sein Himmelszion geben?

When will the promised land of heaven be given to you?

5

Aria [Alto]

Organo obligato e Oboe d'amore, Violino I all' unisono, Violino II, Viola, Continuo

Mir ekelt mehr zu leben,
I feel revulsion to prolong my life,
Drum nimm mich, Jesu, hin!
And so take me away from here, Jesus!
Mir graut vor allen Sünden,
I am horrified by all the sins,
Laß mich dies Wohnhaus finden,
grant that I may find this place to live
Wo selbst ich ruhig bin.
Where I myself may be at peace.-

--

This Translation in Parallel Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (October 2007)
Contributed by Francis Browne (October 2007)

Cantata BWV 170: Vergnügte Ruh', beliebte Seelenlust for 6th Sunday after Trinity (1726)
Discography: Details | Complete Recordings: 1900-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 | 1970-1979 | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-2029 | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 170 Text: German-1 | German-6 | German-7 | NBA Text
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-14
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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 14:23