The Sunday after Christmas.

Salomo Franck, Evangelisches Andachts-Opffer...in geistlichen Cantaten (Weimar, 1715); Facs: Neumann T, p. 275.

30 December 1714, Weimar.

BG 32; NBG Jg. 48-50,1; NBA I/3.

1. Sinfonia

2. Aria (B)

Walk on the road of faith,
God hath the stone established
Which holds and bears up Zion;
Man, stumble not thereon!
Walk on the road of faith!

3. Recit. (B)

The Savior is in charge
In Israel o'er fall and resurrection.
The noble stone doth bear no fault
Whene'er the wicked world
So hard on it is dashed,
Yea, over it to hell doth fall,
For it with spite into it runneth
And God's own grace
And mercy won't acknowledge!
But blesséd is
The chosen man of Christ,
Who on this cornerstone his faith's foundation layeth,
For he thereby health and redemption findeth.

4. Aria (S)

Stone surpassing every treasure,
Help that I may for all time,
Through my faith, upon thee stablish
My foundation for true grace
And may not on thee be wounded,
Stone surpassing every treasure!

5. Recit. (B)

Now angry is the clever world
That God's own Son
Hath left his lofty throne of praise,
Hath self in flesh and blood appareled,
And as a mortal suffers.
The greatest wisdom of this earth
Must fore the Highest's will
Seem like the greatest folly.(1)
For what God hath decreed
Can merest reason never fathom;
That blind seductress misleads the blind in spirit.(2)

6. Aria (S, B) Soul, Jesus

(Soul)
How shall I, O love of souls, e'er embrace thee?

(Jesus)
Thou must all abandon and thyself deny thee!

(Soul)
How shall I perceive then that eternal light?

(Jesus)
Perceive me with faith and yield not unto wrath!

(Soul)
Come, teach me, O Savior, of earth to be scornful!

(Jesus)
Come, spirit, through sadness to gladness walk joyful!

(Soul)
Ah, draw me, Beloved, I'll follow thee hence!

(Jesus)
I'll give thee the crown midst grief and offense!

1. Cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-19.

2. Cf. Mt. 15:14.

© Copyright  Z. Philip Ambrose

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