BWV 34a O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der
Liebe
Wedding Poet unknown; music only partly extant. 3. Ps. 128:4-6 with interpolations; 4. first line: Ps. 128:6; 7. Num. 24-26 with interpolations. 1726?, Leipzig; Parody: 1, 4, 5 → BWV 34/1, 5, 3. Part One 1. Aria (S,A,T,B)O fire everlasting, O wellspring of love, Enkindle our hearts at the sacred altar.
Ah, let upon this our dear couple made one The rays of the noblest emotions be showered. What, doth then love’s exalted force In every human spirit A paradise on earth create? What moveth thee, O highest creature, Of love the influence to elect thee? A darling for thy house to choose thee? 3. Aria (T) and Recit. (A) Lo now, e’en so will be blessed the man who the Lord God feareth.(1)
Why seeketh he good fortune’s fountain, Of faithful souls the wedded state As though a prosperous, and promised land’s Whose worth it sought capture?
For thee, whose good work in God’s house keeps? What will thy turn in holy temples On thee for blessings shower?
Then shall e’en earthly goods and pleasures To meet thy heart’s desires attend thee. For God doth here a chosen child to thee now bring, That thou in years unnumbered yet Renewed prosperity discover.
Sincerely with united voices: Peace be over Israel(4) Haste unto that holy stairway, Haste, the Highest bends his ear.
“Peace be over Israel,” “Peace be over you” invoking. Part Two
Well you, ye chosen of the shepherd, Whom a devoted Jacob loves.
Which him on earth the Lord hath given Through this his Rachel’s charm and grace.(5) This is for thee, O honorable man, The loftiest of wages That can thee pleasure give. God, who since time began hath love itself been called And did a good and virtuous child thy heart allow to touch, Make full now with thy blessing this thy dwelling That it like Obed Edom's be,(6) And to this benediction might as well. 7. Aria (S,A,T,B) Give, Most High God, here too the word thy strength Which so much good amongst thy people brings: The Lord bless thee now and watch over thee(7) His blessing must upon that one be falling Who songs like this in holy places singeth: /A song of thanks unto thy throne be tendered And at his feet a joyful offering rendered:/ The Lord shall brighten his countenance over thee and be thee gracious,(8) The deeds of him who doth the temple serve Call forth the Lord’s attention and his grace. /He signeth thee with his paternal hand, Which thee with many blessing hath endowed. The Lord lift up now his countenance over thee and give thee his peace.(9) The Lord by whom all passion pure was kindled Preserve them both and speak his mighty Amen. /Thy health doth stem from God’s own name and bosom. So be now blessed through his most holy Amen.
1. Ps. 128:4 2. Ps. 128:5 3. Ps. 128:6 4. Ps. 128:6 5. Cf. Gen. 29:15 ff. 6. Cf. 2 Sam. 6:10-12 7. Num. 6:24 8. Num. 6:25 9. Num. 6:26 © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |