BWV 83 Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde
The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (The Presentation of Christ in the Temple). Poet unknown; PT (Leipzig, 1724); Facs: Neumann T, p. 425. 2. Lk. 2:29-31 with interpolated recitative; 5. Martin Luther, verse 4 of "Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin" ("Simeon's Song of Praise" = "Nunc dimittis," Lk. 2:29-31), 1524 (Wackernagel, I, #205). 2 February 1724, Leipzig; again 2 February 1727. BG 20, 1; NBA I/28.
1. Aria (A) O joyful day of the new order,
That resting place, the grave, prepared!(1) 2. Aria [Dictum] and Recit. (B) Lord, now lettest thou this thy servant in peace depart now,
according to thy word. 3. Aria (T) Hasten, heart, with joyfulness(2)
And compassion's grace discover, Yea, when trouble fills thy days, Strong in spirit, pray with vigor. 4. Recit. (A) Yea, if thy faith doth see much darkness yet, 5. Chorale (S, A, T, B) He is salvation's blessed light
1. This aria alludes to the prophecy made to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah.The "new order" is the New Covenant. 2. Where the text has voller Freudigkeit read "with all joyfulness." 3. Cf. Heb. 4:16. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |