BWV 71 Gott ist mein König

Inauguration of the New Town Council.

Poet unknown; PT (Mühlhausen, 1708); Facs: Neumann T, p. 384.

1. Ps. 74:12; 2. Johann Heermann, verse 6 of "O Gott, du frommer Gott," 1630 (Fischer-Tümpel, I, #355), with interpolated aria based on 2. Sam. 19:35 and 37; 3. Dt. 33:25 and Gen. 21:22; 4. Ps. 74:16-17; 6. Ps. 74:19.

4 February 1708, Mühlhausen.

BG 18; NBA I/32.


1. Chorus [Dictum]

God is my Sovereign since ancient days, who all salvation brings which on earth may be found.

2. Aria [Dictum] (T) and Chorale (S)

(T)
I have lived eighty years, wherefore shall thy thrall still more complain then?

      (S)
      If I should in this world
      My life extend yet longer,
      Through countless bitter steps
      Into old age advancing,
I would go back there that I die within my own town,
     Help me forbear, from sin
     And scandal me defend,
     So that I may wear well
beside my father's and mine own mother's grave.
     With honor my gray hair.

3. Chorus [Dictum] (S, A, T, B)

Thine old age be like to thy childhood, and God is with thee in every thing thou dost.

4. Arioso [Dictum] (B)

Day and night are thine. Thou makest them both, the sun and the stars, their own appointed course follow. Thou settest upon every land its established borders.

5. Aria (A)

With powerful might
Dost thou preserve our borders,
Here shall then peace be radiant,
Though death and raging war
May all around appear.
Though crown and scepter shake,
Hast thou salvation wrought
With powerful might!

6. Chorus [Dictum] (S, A, T, B)

May'st thou wish not to the foe to render the souls of thine own turtledoves.

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

This our new government
In every endeavor
Here crown with thy blessing!
Concord, peace and prosp'rous fortune
Must alway be in attendance
On our new government

Joy, health, great victory
Must each day continue
O Joseph(1), to please thee,
That in every clime and country
Ever steadfast may attend thee
Joy, health, great victory!

1. Emperor (Kaiser) Joseph I (1705-1711).

© Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose

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