BWV 28 Gottlob! nun geht das Jahr zu Ende

The Sunday after Christmas.

Erdmann Neumeister, Geistliche Poesien (Eisenach, 1714); Facs: Neumann T, p. 293.

2. Johann Gramann, verse 1 of the hymn, 1530 (Wackernagel, III, #968ff.); 3. Jer. 32:41; 6. Paul Eber, final verse of "Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen," ca. 1590 (Wackernagel, IV, #7).

30 December 1725, Leipzig.

BG 5, 1; NBA I/3.


1. Aria (S)

Praise God! For now the year is ending,
The new year draweth quickly nigh.
Consider, O my spirit, this,
How much thee these thy God's own hands have
Within the old year richly blest!
Raise him a happy song of thanks;
And he will further thee remember
And more in this new year reward thee.

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

Now praise, my soul, the Master,
All I possess, his name give praise!
His kindness he will increase,
Forget it not, O heart of mine!
He hath thy sin forgiven
And heals thy weakness all,
He saves thy life so wretched,
Takes thee in his embrace;
With comfort rich anoints thee,
Made young with eagle strength.
The King is just and guardeth
Those suff'ring within his realm.(1)

3. Recit. and Arioso (B)

Thus saith the Lord: It shall to me bring pleasure that I unto them give favor, and them will I within this land in faith establish, with all my heart now and with all my spirit.

4. Recit. (T)

God is a spring, where nought but kindness wells;
God is a light, where nought but mercy shineth;
God is a store, which nought but blessing gives;
God is a Lord, with loyal, heartfelt purpose.
All him in faith who love, in childlike love adore,
His word sincerely heed
And from all wicked pathways turn,
He gives himself them every blessing.
Who God hath must have every treasure.

5. Aria (A, T)

God hath us in this very year brought such blessing,
That good deed and good health each other encounter.
We praise him sincerely and ask in addition
That he might a happy new year also give us.
Sure of it from his own unswerving compassion,
We praise it already with most grateful spirit.

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

We praise all thy compassion
Father on heaven's throne,
Which thou to us hast proven
Through Christ who is thy Son,
And further ask of thee:
Give us a peaceful year,
From every woe defend us
And feed us graciously.


1. Although the PT has Die leid'n in seinem Reich ("They suffer in his realm"), Bach has Die leiden in seinem Reich.


© Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose


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