BWV 195 Dem Gerechten muß das Licht immer wieder aufgehen

Wedding.

Poet unknown.

1. Ps. 97:11-12; 6. Paul Gerhardt, verse 1 of the hymn, 1647 (Fischer-Tümpel, III, #391) to the melody of "Lobt Gott, ihr Christen alle gleich"; this chorale takes the place of three movements in an earlier version, in which the cantata was divided into two parts.

After 1737; Parody: 6 and 8 → BWV 30a/5 and 1(13).

BG 13, 1: NBA I/33.


First Part (Before the Marriage Vows)

1. Chorus [Dictum]

For the righteous must the light ever new be arising, and gladden the hearts of the faithful.
O ye righteous, find joy in the Lord, and thanks give him and praise him for his holiness / for his name's sake.

2. Recit. (B)

This joyous light's upright admirers
Must ever constant increase follow,
Which their good fortune shall make grow.
And for these newly weds,(1)
In whom we so much righteousness
And virtue praise,
Today a joyous light doth wait,
Which offers them new blessing still.
Oh, what a happy union!
Thus can this pair their joy find, each within the other.

3. Aria (B)

Praise ye God's good will and trust,
Praise ye him with lively pleasure,
Praise ye God, soon-wedded couple!

    For your present marriage union
    Lets you nought but bliss discover,
    Light and pleasure will be new.

4. Recit. (S)

Rejoice, for joined is here a bond
Which so much blessing prophesieth.
The priest's own hand
Will now his blessing
Upon your married state,
Upon your heads be laying.
And when this blessing's power henceforth in you hath flourished,
Then praise of God his father's hand.
He joined himself your bond of love
And granted that his new beginning
As well a happy end accomplish.

5. Chorus (S, A, T, B)

We come here, thy great holiness,
Unending mighty God, to honor.

    What thine own hands are here beginning
    Thy mighty power can bring fulfillment
    And to thy blessing give clear witness.

Second Part (After the Marriage Vows)

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

Now thank ye all and bring your praise,
Ye mortals in the world,
To him whose praise the angel hosts
In heav'n have always told.

[6. Aria](2)

Rise and praise the Highest’s kindness 
With your grateful hearts and spirits,
O delightful wedded pair.
For your wishing, for your hoping,
Hath now fully found fulfillment
And your fortune is made clear.
    Auf und rühmt des Höchsten Güte
    Mit erkäntlichem Gemüte,
    Angenehm vereintes Paar,
    Den(n) eur Wünschen, den(n) eur Hoffen
    Ist nun völlig eingetroffen
    Un eur Glpck ist offenbar.  (Von Anfang)

[7. Recit.]

Most noble pair, thou art from henceforth wedded,
Already wait now blessing’s perfect hours
For thee and thine illustrious house.
The Highest spake through his own servant’s mouth
Just now o'er thee his blessing’s word.
It will in sooth stay with thee
And noble fruit encourage.
So go ye hence in peace now,
To you is such a good,
A lasting good, alloted,
That at no time shall be reduced.
But thou, O Lord, let now their fervent prayers,
Which once again before thy throne ascend,
Now thine attendance witness;
That thy dear favor doth upon this couple fall.

    Hoch Edles Paar, du bist nunmehr verbunden,
    Itzt warten schon die Seegens vollen Stunden,
    Auf dich und dein erhabnes Hauß.
    Der Höchste sprach durch seines Dieners Mund
    Itzt über Dich den Seegen aus.
    Er wird gewiß bekleiben
    Und edle Früchte treiben.
    So geht nun hin im Frieden
    Euch ist ein solches Wohl
    Ein daurhafft Wohl beschieden
    Das keine Zeit vermindern soll.
    Du aber Herr laß itzt Gebeth und Flehen,
    Das noch ein mahl tu deinem Throne steigt,
    Doch die Erhörung sehen;
    Daß deine Gnade sich zu den Verlobten neigt

[8. Chorus]

Highest, grant thou to this pair 
Pleasure which thy blessing giveth;
Grant that thine own gracious hand
Ever in their married state
Luck and health to them be guiding.

    Höchster schencke diesem Paar
    Freude die dein Seegen schencket
    Gieb daß deine Gnaden Hand
    Glück und Heyl zu ihnen lencket.


1. MS: Auch Dir, Hochedles Paar "E'en thee, most noble pair."

2. In brackets follow the texts of three movements found in a manuscript added to the OP.  Each translations is followed by the German original as transcribed in Neumann.


© Copyright  Z. Philip Ambrose


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