Ninth Sunday after Trinity.

Poet unknown.

1.  Ps. 143:2;  6.  Johann Rist, verse 11 of "Jesu, der du meine Seele," 1641 (Fischer-Tümpel, II, #189).

25 July 1723, Leipzig.

BG 23;  NBA I/19.

1.  Chorus [Dictum] (S, A, T, B)

Lord, bring thou not into judgement thy servant, for in thy sight is no living person just.
 

2.  Recit. (A)

My God, reject me not,
While I myself now humbly bow before thee,
From thine own countenance (1).
I know, though great thy wrath and mine own wickedness,
That thou art both a ready witness
And a most righteous judge as well.
I give to thee my free confession now
And cast myself not in great risk,
That I my soul's own failings
Disclaim or to keep hidden.
 

3.  Aria (S)

How tremble and waver
The sinners' intentions,
In that they do often accuse one another
And then turn around and would dare make excuses (2).
 Just so is the scrupulous conscience
 Because of its own torments shattered.
 

4.  Recit. (B)

Blest though is he who doth his bondsmans know,
Who every debt redeemeth;
Then is the mortgage canceled out,
When Jesus with his blood doth drench it (3).
He doth it on the cross himself affix,
He will of thy possessions, life and body,
When once thy dying hour doth strike,
Himself transmit the record to his Father.
E'en though thy body will, when borne unto the grave,
With sand and dust be covered,
Thy Savior opens thee eternal shelter.
 

5.  Aria (T)

If I but Jesus as my friend may number,
Then counteth Mammon nought with me.
     For I can find no pleasure here
     Amidst this idle world and earthly treasures.
 

6.  Chorale (S, A, T, B)

Now, I know, thou shalt make quiet
This my conscience, plaguing me.
Thy good faith will bring fulfillment
To what thou thyself hast said:
That in all these earthly reaches
No one shall be lost forever,
But instead have life eternal,
If he but with faith be full.

 1. Cf. Ps. 51:13.

 2. Cf. Rom. 2:15.

 3. Cf. Col. 2:14.

© Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose

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