Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.

Johann Friedrich Helbig, Auffmunterung Zur Andacht (Eisenach, 1720); Facs: Neumann T, p. 304.

1. Lk. 14:11 and 18:14; 5. verse 11 of "Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz?," ca. 1560 (Wackernagel, IV, #90).

13 October 1726, Leipzig.

BG 10; NBA I/23.

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

Who himself exalteth, he shall be made to be humble, and who doth make himself humble, he shall be made exalted.

2. Aria (S)

He who would be called true Christian
Must to meekness give much practice;
Meekness comes from Jesus' realm.

Haughty pride is devil's fare,
God treats all those with his hatred
Who their pride do not abandon.

3. Recit. (B)

Mankind is dirt, stench,(1) earth and ashes;
How could it be by arrogance,
Born of the devil's brood,
Still yet so fascinated?
Ah, Jesus, God's own Son,
Creator of all nature,
Became for our sake humble and most lowly,
Enduring spite and scorn;
And thou, thou wretched worm, wouldst thou be boastful?
Beseemeth such as this a Christian?
Go, shame thyself, thou prideful creature man,
Repent and follow Christ's own path;
Prostrate thyself to God with faithful spirit!
In his own time he shall again exalt thee.

4. Aria (B)

Jesus, humble yet my spirit
Under thy most mighty hand,
That I not salvation forfeit
As a foretaste of hell's fire.
Let me thine own meekness follow
And on pride set condemnation;
Give to me a humble heart,
That I may thy favor find!

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

All temporal praise would I glad forsake
If thou me but eternity give,
Which thou hast won for me
Through thine own painful, bitter death.
This do I ask, my Lord and God.

1. OSt emends Stank 'stench' to Staub 'dust.'

© Copyright  Z. Philip Ambrose

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