Event: Cantata for the 8^th Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: Romans 8: 12-17; Gospel: Matthew 7: 15-23
Text: Micah 6: 8 (Mvt. 1); Matthew 7: 22-23 (Mvt. 4); Johann Heermann (Mvt. 7); Anon (Mvts. 2, 3, 5, 6) [Walther Blankenburg suggested Christoph Helm]
Chorale Text: O Gott, du frommer Gott

First Part

1

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch,
You have been told, mankind,
was gut ist und was der Herr von dir fordert, nämlich:
what is good and what the Lord requires of you, namely:
Gottes Wort halten und Liebe üben und demütig sein vor deinem Gott.
to keep God's word and to practise love and be humble before your God.

2

Recitative [Tenor]

Continuo

Der Höchste läßt mich seinen Willen wissen
The Highest lets me know his will
Und was ihm wohlgefällt;
and what pleases him well;
Er hat sein Wort zur Richtschnur dargestellt,
He has revealed his word as guide
Wornach mein Fuß soll sein geflissen
which my foot should zealously
Allzeit einherzugehn
at all times follow
Mit Furcht, mit Demut und mit Liebe
with fear and with humility and with love
Als Proben des Gehorsams, den ich übe,
as tests of the obedience which I practise
Um als ein treuer Knecht dereinsten zu bestehn.
in order as a faithful servant to pass future tests.

3

Aria [Tenor]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Weiß ich Gottes Rechte,
If I know God's justice,
Was ist's, das mir helfen kann,
that is what can help me,
Wenn er mir als seinem Knechte
when from me as his servant
Fordert scharfe Rechnung an.
he demands a strict account.
Seele, denke dich zu retten,
Soul, consider how to save yourself:
Auf Gehorsam folget Lohn;
Reward follows obedience;
Qual und Hohn
torment and shame
Drohet deinem Übertreten!
threaten you when you transgress!

Second Part

4

Arioso [Bass]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Es werden viele zu mir sagen an jenem Tage:
Many will say to me on that day:
Herr, Herr, haben wir nicht in deinem Namen geweissaget,
Lord, have we not prophesied in your name,
haben wir nicht in deinem Namen Teufel ausgetrieben,
have we not driven out devils in your name,
haben wir nicht in deinem Namen viel Taten getan?
have we not done many deeds in your name?
Denn werde ich ihnen bekennen:
Then I shall declare to them:
Ich habe euch noch nie erkannt,
I have never known you,
weichet alle von mir, ihr Übeltäter!
all begone from me, you evil doers!

5

Aria [Alto]

Flauto traverso I, Continuo

Wer Gott bekennt
Who acknowledges God
Aus wahrem Herzensgrund,
from the true depths of his heart,
Den will er auch bekennen.
him he will also be willing to acknowledge.
Denn der muß ewig brennen,
But that person must burn for ever
Der einzig mit dem Mund
who only with his mouth
Ihn Herren nennt.
names him Lord.

6

Recitative [Alto]

Continuo

So wird denn Herz und Mund selbst von mir Richter sein,
Therefore my heart and mouth themselves will be my judges,
Und Gott will mir den Lohn nach meinem Sinn erteilen:
and God wants to grant me my reward according to what I have intended:
Trifft nun mein Wandel nicht nach seinen Worten ein,
If now my way of life does not accord with his word,
Wer will hernach der Seelen Schaden heilen?
who afterwards will heal my soul's shame ?
Was mach ich mir denn selber Hindernis?
Why then do I make an obstacle for myself?
Des Herren Wille muß geschehen,
The Lord's will must happen,
Doch ist sein Beistand auch gewiß,
but his assistance is also certain,
Daß er sein Werk durch mich mög wohl vollendet sehen.
so that he may see his work in me accomplished well.

7

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo

Gib, daß ich tu mit Fleiß,
Grant that I may do with diligence
Was mir zu tun gebühret,
what it is proper for me to do,
Worzu mich dein Befehl
wherever your command
In meinem Stande führet!
leads me in my position!
Gib, daß ichs tue bald,
Grant that I may soon do it
Zu der Zeit, da ich soll;
at the time when I should do it;
Und wenn ich's tu, so gib,
and when I do it, then grant
Daß es gerate wohl!
that it may turn out well!

--

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

Cantata BWV 45: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
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Chorale Text: O Gott, du frommer Gott

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