BWV 148 Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.

Probably Picander; Movements 2-5, similar to a poem of six verses in Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), Sammlung Erbaulicher Gedancken (Leipzig, 1724/1725); Facs: Neumann T, p. 307.

1. Ps. 96:8-9 or 29:2; 6. melody without text of "Auf meinen lieben Gott"; Neumann T supplies Erk's suggestion of verse 6 of this hymn (Lübeck, before 1603); BG supplies Spitta's suggestion of the eleventh and final verse of "Wo soll ich fliehen hin," Johann Heermann, 1630 (Fischer-Tümpel, I, #322).

Perhaps 19 September 1723, Leipzig.

BG 30; NBA I/23.


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

Bring to the Lord honor for his name's sake, worship ye the Lord with holy display.

2. Aria (T)

I hasten to hear now
The lessons for living
And seek out with gladness that holiest house.

    How lovely a summons
    Of sounds of glad music
    To praise of the Highest his saints there to make!

3. Recit. (A)

Like as the hart for cooling waters cries,
So I cry, God, to thee.(1)
For as my only rest
There is no one but thee.
How holy and how precious
Is, Highest, this thy sabbath feast day!
Where praise I give thy might
Within the confines of the righteous.
Oh, when the children of this night
Its loveliness consider,
For God doth dwell in me.

4. Aria (A)

Voice and heart to thee are open,
Highest, merge thyself with them!
I in thee, and thou in me;

    Faith and love and trust and patience
    Shall my bed of rest become.

5. Recit. (T)

Bide, too, my God, in me
And me thy Spirit give;
May it by thy true word so rule me
That I may act in all my dealings
As thou dost seek of me,
So that I may in time
Within thy majesty,
My dearest God, with thee
That mighty Sabbath feast do honor.

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

[Amen at every hour
I'll say within my heart;
Be willing thou to guide us,
Lord Christ, at every moment,
So that we for thy name's sake
Forever praise thee.(2) Amen.]

[Lead both my heart and will
Through thine own Spirit hence,
That I may shun all perils
Which me from thee could sever,
And I within thy body
A member bide forever.](3)


1. Cf. Ps. 42:2.

2. The text supplied by Neumann T.

3. The texts supplied by BG.


© Copyright  Z. Philip Ambrose


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