BWV 69 Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele I

Inauguration of the New Town Council (Twelfth Sunday after Trinity).

Poet unknown; based on a cantata by Johann Oswald Knauer, Gott-geheiligtes Singen und Spielen des Friedensteinischen Zions (Gotha, 1720), which was adapted to form BWV 69a.

1. Ps. 103:2; 6. Martin Luther, after Ps. 67, verse 3 of "Es woll uns Gott genädig sein," 1524 (Wackernagel, I, #189).

Later years at Leipzig; Parody: 1, 3, 5 ← BWV 69a/1, 3, 5.

BG 16; NBA I/32.



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

Praise thou the Lord, O my spirit, and forget not the goodness that he hath done thee.

2. Recit. (S)

How great is God's dear kindness though!
He brought us to the light,
And he sustains us yet.
Where do we but a single creature find
Which doth for sustenance yet lack?
Consider though, my soul,
Almighty God's unhidden sign
Which e'en in small things proves to be so great.
Ah, would that I, Most High God, had the power
A worthy song of thanks to bring thee!
But, should in me for this the strength be lacking,
I will e'en still, Lord, thy great fame be telling.

3. Aria (A)

O my spirit,
Rise and tell it,
All that God hath shown to thee!

    Glorify his wondrous work,
    For the Most High pleasure bringing,
    Him a thankful song be ringing!

4. Recit. (T)

The Lord hath mighty things for us achieved.
For he provideth and sustains,
Protecteth and ruleth the world.
He doth more than could e'er be told.
But still, just one thing do consider:
What could us God have better given,
Than that he to our governors
The soul of wisdom granteth,
Who then forevermore
Both ill rebuke and goodness cherish?
Yea, who both day and night
For our well-being watch?
Let us in turn the Most High honor;
Rise! Call to him,
That he may also ever yet such favor wish to show us.
From all that would our land do harm,
Wouldst thou, O Most High God, defend us,
And thy most welcome help now send us.
Indeed, though thou with cross and suff'ring
May punish us, thou wilt not slay us.

5. Aria (B)

My Redeemer and Sustainer,
Keep me in thy care and watch!
Stand by me in cross and passion,
And my mouth shall sing with gladness:
God hath all things set aright!

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

Let thank, O God, and honor thee
The people through good service.
The land bears fruit, amends itself,
Thy word is well commended.
Us bless the Father and the Son,
And bless us God, the Holy Ghost,
Whom all the world doth(1) glorify
And hold in rev'rence unexcelled,
And say sincerely: Amen!


1. With the subjunctive form thu found in the older hymnbooks, translate "let."


© Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose


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