DCCIX. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)
The Gospel for this Sunday -- the Ninth Sunday after Trinity -- is the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9).
The opening chorus is modelled on the form of a prelude and fugue. The prelude is an adagio in which the text is intensified by exaggerated sighing motifs and suspended dissonances in the instrumental parts; the allegro fugue depicts the living in the subject, while the descending chromatic countersubject exemplify the text ("for in thy sight shall no man be justified" -- Psalm 143).
1. [Coro]: Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht
Nay, for then no man alive may Thou acquit
2. Recitativo (Alto): Mein Gott, verwirf mich nicht
In humble penitence I come to bow me
Before Thy Majesty
I know how great Thy wrath, how deep my sorry guilt
Thy judgments, Lord, I know are righteous
As Thy decrees are merciful
I offer Thee confession frank and free
Nor would I dare deny to Thee
My spirit's many failings or venture
To conceal them
3. Aria (Soprano): Wie zittern und wanken
Notice the lack of a continuo part!
With quiver and quaking
The sinners are shaking
Each one is the fault of the other bewailing
While stoutly denying his own greater failing
They never may rest them contented
Forever by conscience tormented
4. Recitativo (Basso): Wohl aber dem, der seinen Bürgen wieß
How happy he, he who is firm assured of full acquittance
For him the debt was paid in full
When Jesus offer'd His atonement
He nailed it fast beside Him on the Cross
For our sake with the Father interceding
He pleads for us when death's hour strikes
And Mighty God will harken to His pleading
So when thy mortal corpse is carried to the grave
And earth is heaped upon it
Thy God will open wide the Gate of Heaven
5. Aria (Tenore): Kann ich nur Jesum mir zum Freunde machen
If but Thou, Jesus, be my dear companion
I value Mammon naught indeed
I find me no contentment here
In futile mortal joys, and worldly attractions
A remarkable choral, word-painted with accompanying strings.
6. Choral (Coro): Nun, ich weiß, du wirst mir stillen
Now I know that Thou will quiet
All the fears that trouble me
In fulfillment of the promise
Given to the World by Thee
That thro'out the earth's dominions
Not a single soul will perish; if the faith we firm maintain
Life eternal we will gain\
The sinners are shaking
Each one is the fault of the other bewailing
While stoutly denying his own greater failing
They never may rest them contented
Forever by conscience tormented
4. Recitativo (Basso): Wohl aber dem, der seinen Bürgen wieß
For him the debt was paid in full
When Jesus offer'd His atonement
He nailed it fast beside Him on the Cross
For our sake with the Father interceding
He pleads for us when death's hour strikes
And Mighty God will harken to His pleading
So when thy mortal corpse is carried to the grave
And earth is heaped upon it
Thy God will open wide the Gate of Heaven
5. Aria (Tenore): Kann ich nur Jesum mir zum Freunde machen
I value Mammon naught indeed
I find me no contentment here
In futile mortal joys, and worldly attractions
A remarkable choral, word-painted with accompanying strings.
6. Choral (Coro): Nun, ich weiß, du wirst mir stillen
All the fears that trouble me
In fulfillment of the promise
Given to the World by Thee
That thro'out the earth's dominions
Not a single soul will perish; if the faith we firm maintain
Life eternal we will gain\
A reduction of the brilliant four-part writing:
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