Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Poet unknown (based on the "Magnificat"); PT (Leipzig, 1725); Facs: Neumann T, p. 435; Music by Bach probable (so Neumann T, p. 162). 1. Lk. 1:46-47; 2, 4, 6, 8. based on Lk. 1:48-54; 9. Lk. 1:55. ?2 July 1725, Leipzig. [1. Dictum] Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn, und mein Geist freuet sich Gottes
meines Heylandes. [2.] Recit. Elende Magd! wie ist dir doch geschehen? [3.] Aria Heilig, Heilig, heist sein Nahme, [4.] Recit. Mit seinem Arm, übt er gewalt'ge Streiche, [5.] Aria Sein Arm zerstreut und übt Gewalt, [6.] Recit. Wer hungrig ist, komme her! [7.] Aria Ich leide Durst; es hungert meine Seele, [8.] Recit. Es fällt ihm ein; [9. Dictum] Wie er geredet hat unsern Vätern, Abraham und seinem Saamen ewiglich.
1. Dictum This my spirit exalts the Lord, and my soul doth rejoice in God
who is my Savior. 2. Recit. O wretched maid! How did it happen to thee?Who am I then to find such grace? Oh! God, thou hast me so regarded, And therefore, too, from this day on Will every generation show through its devotion That it doth bless and praise me. For he hath mighty things in me fulfilled, He whose great might in all the world is known, And who the Savior hath been named. That his great mercy doth endure forever, To that can all who fear him bear witness. 3. Aria Holy, holy is his name called, Who my poor state did regard; When he came forth to support me,(1) Must indeed my need subside. His great might hath me exalted, Grace and kindness bring me peace, Shout, ye heavens, and rejoice. Ever art thou God to honor. 4. Recit. For with his arm the strokes he deals are mighty, And they who in their heart of hearts (Although they may seem outwardly to shun this), Are filled with pride, he knows how these to scatter: He casteth all who live through power Down from their seat, And can the lowly lift in turn to highest station. 5. Aria His arm doth loose and wield great might, Doth break the bow and all its arrows, The haughty heart should tremble soon, Unsought alone by bolts of thunder Be they who at his feet are lying, Those moistened with their stream of tears, They will forever with him triumph, He helpeth all the humble rise. 6. Recit. If hungry thou, come then forth! Here is Israel’s keeper, Who gives him fill of every blessing And empty leaves the rich. 7. Aria I suffer thirst and hungry is my spirit, Nought is there here which could my longing still, And though I lack no worldly good at present, My wanting doth from discontentment well. Thy goodness only Doth still my spirit, No empty wealth the spirit’s hunger feeds, Thy mercy only Helps me the lowly, God Sabaoth now satisfy my soul. 8. Recit. It comes to him: He thinks on his own mercy-heart, The helper doth the servant now attend, Israel shall be holpen now. 9. Dictum As he hath spoken to our forefathers, Abraham and to his seed eternally.
1. The translation changes the punctuation of the PT in this line from a period and in the preceding line from a comma. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |