BWV 188 Ich habe meine Zuversicht

Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), Ernst-Schertzhaffte und Satyrische Gedichte, Teil III (Leipzig, 1732); Facs: Neumann T, p. 343.

6. First verse of the hymn, Lübeck, before 1603 (cf. Fischer-Tümpel, IV, #575).

1728 or soon thereafter, Leipzig.

BG 37; NBA I/25.


1. Sinfonia

2. Aria (T)

I have now all my confidence
To the faithful God assigned
Where rests my expectation firmly.

    When all shall break, when all shall fail,
    When no one faith and word shall keep,
    E'en so is God surpassing gracious.

3. Recit. (B)

God meaneth well for ev’ryone,
E’en midst the very worst of trouble.
Though he awhile his love concealeth,
His heart for us in secret cares,
This can he nevermore withdraw;
And even if the Lord would slay me,
My hope doth rest in him,
Because his angered countenance
Is nothing but
A cloud which casts a shadow;
It only holds the sunlight back,
So that with help of gentle showers
The heav’nly blessing
Then that much richer might become.
The Lord transforms himself into a wrathful God
To make his comfort seem that stronger;
He would, he could not wish us evil.
I'll not let him go, until he me bless.(1)

4. Aria (A)

Not to fathom is the manner
How the Lord his people leads.

    Even our own cross and pain
    Must to our advantage be
    And to bring his name great honor.

5. Recit. (S)

The world’s great might shall disappear.
Who can depend on rank and honor?
But God abideth evermore;
Blest all those who in him are trusting!

6. Chorale (S,A,T,B)

In my belovéd God
I trust in fear and need;
He can me e’er deliver
From sadness, fear and trouble.
My sorrow can he alter,
For in his hands all resteth.

1. Cf. Gen. 32:36 and BWV 157/1.

© Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose


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