Cantata BWV 69a
Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele
English Translation in Parallel Format
Cantata 69a - Praise the Lord

Event: Cantata for the 12^th Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: 2 Corinthians 3: 4-11; Gospel: Mark 7: 31-37
Text: Psalm 103: 2 (Mvt. 1); Samuel Rodigast (Mvt. 6); Anon (Mvts. 2-5) [based on text from Johann Oswald (?) Knauer cantata cycle]
Chorale Text: Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

Original German Text

English Translation

1

Coro

1

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Tromba I-III, Timpani, Oboe I-III, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele,
und vergiss nicht,
was er dir Gutes getan hat!

Praise the Lord, my soul,
and do not forget
what good he has done for you!

2

Recitativo S

2

Recitative [Soprano]

Fagotto, Continuo

Ach, dass ich tausend Zungen hätte!
Ach wäre doch mein Mund
Von eitlen Worten leer!
Ach, dass ich gar nichts redte,
Als was zu Gottes Lob gerichtet wär!
So machte ich des Höchsten Güte kund;
Denn er hat lebenslang so viel an mir getan,
Dass ich in Ewigkeit ihm nicht verdanken kann.

Ah, if only I had a thousand tongues!
Ah, if only my mouth
were empty of vain words!
Ah, if only I might say nothing
except what would be directed to God's praise!
In this way I should make known the kindness of the Highest;
for throughout my life he has done so much for me
that in eternity I could not thank him fully.

3

Aria T

3

Aria [Tenor]

Flauto, Oboe da caccia, Fagotto, Continuo

Meine Seele,
Auf, erzähle,
Was dir Gott erwiesen hat!
Rühmet seine Wundertat,
Laßt ein gottgefällig Singen
Durch die frohen Lippen dringen!

My soul,
arise, tell
what God has shown to you!
Praise his marvellous work
Let a song that is pleasing to God
break forth from your joyful lips!

4

Recitativo A

4

Recitative [Alto]

Fagotto, Continuo

Gedenk ich nur zurück,
Was du, mein Gott, von zarter Jugend an
Bis diesen Augenblick
An mir getan,
So kann ich deine Wunder, Herr,
So wenig als die Sterne zählen.
Vor deine Huld, die du an meiner Seelen
Noch alle Stunden tust,
Indem du nur von deiner Liebe ruhst,
Vermag ich nicht vollkommnen Dank zu weihn.
Mein Mund ist schwach, die Zunge stumm
Zu deinem Preis und Ruhm.
Ach! sei mir nah
Und sprich dein kräftig Hephata,
So wird mein Mund voll Dankens sein.

When I only think back to
what you, my God, from my tender youth
until this moment
have done for me,
then I can count your wonderful deeds, Lord,
as little as I could count the stars.
For your favour, which to my soul you
show at all times,
while you never rest from showing your love for me,
I could never thank you fully.
My mouth is weak, my tongue speechless
for your praise and glory.
Ah, be near me
and speak your mighty Ephata,
then my mouth will be full of thanks.

5

Aria B

5

Aria [Bass]

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

Mein Erlöser und Erhalter,
Nimm mich stets in Hut und Wacht!
Steh mir bei in Kreuz und Leiden,
Alsdenn singt mein Mund mit Freuden:
Gott hat alles wohlgemacht!

My redeeemer and support,
keep me always in your care and protection!
Stand by me in cross and suffering,
then my mouth sings with joy:
God has made everything well!

6

Choral

6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Tromba I e Oboe I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Fagotto, Continuo

Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan,
Darbei will ich verbleiben.
Es mag mich auf die rauhe Bahn
Not, Tod und Elend treiben:
So wird Gott mich
Ganz väterlich
In seinen Armen halten.
Drum lass ich ihn nur walten.

What God does is well done,
with that thought I want to remain in agreement.
I may be driven on the rough road
by need, death and misery:
then will God
just like a father
hold me in his arms.
Therefore I yield power to him only.

This Translation in Interlinear Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (July 2002, November 2011)

Contributed by Francis Browne (December 2011)

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