BWV 1083 Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden
Occasion unknown. Picander (music from Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, 1736), based upon Ps. 51. 1744-1748. [English translation follows German text.] Versus 1 Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden. Versus 2 Ist mein Herz in Missetaten Versus 3 Missetaten, die mich drücken, Versus 4 Dich erzürnt mein Tun und Lassen, Versus 5 Wer wird seine Schuld verneinen Versus 6 Wer wird, Herr, dein Urteil mindern Versus 7 Sieh, ich bin in Sünd empfangen, Versus 8 Sieh, du willst die Wahrheit haben, Versus 9 Wasche mich doch rein von Sünden, Versus 10 Laß mich Freud und Wonne spüren, Versus 11 Schaue nicht auf meine Sünden, Versus 12 Stoß mich nicht von deinen Augen, Versus 13 Gib, o Höchster, Trost ins Herze,
Versus 14 Denn ich will die Sünder lehren, Versus 15 Laß, o Tilger meiner Sünden, Versus 16 Öfne Lippen, Mund und Seele, Versus 17 Denn du willst kein Opfer haben, Versus 18 Herz und Geist, voll Angst und Grämen, Versus 19 Laß dein Zion blühend dauern, Versus 20 Alsdann soll dein Ruhm erschallen, Versus 1 Blot out, Highest, my transgressions, thy stern ardor let now vanish, let me now thy care enjoy. Versus 2 If my heart in sinful actions and in greatest guilt hath fallen, wash it thyself, make it clean. Versus 3 Sinful actions which oppress me I must now myself acknowledge; Father, I have not been just. Versus 4 Thee offend my deeds and failings, deeds and failings scorn thou shouldest for my sins have made me weak. Versus 5 Who will his own guilt deny then, or indeed as just to claim it? I’m in truth to sin a thrall. Versus 6 Who will, Lord, thy judgment weaken, or yet thy damnation hinder? Thou art fair, thy word is fair. Versus 7 Lo, I was in sin conceivéd, sinful deeds I’ve here committed since the day that I was born. Versus 8 Lo, thou wouldst the truth be given, All the hidden gifts of wisdom thou thyself to me revealed. Versus 9 Wash me clean of my transgressions, that no spot more be discovered when by hyssop I’m asperged. Versus 10 Let me feel the joy and pleasure, let me gladly sound the triumph, when the cross me hard doth press. Versus 11 Do not look upon my errors, blot them out, let them now vanish, Heart and soul do thou renew. Versus 12 Thrust me not from out thy vision, and if then my conduct merits, O, then me thy spirit help. Versus 13 Fill, O Highest, heart with comfort, health restore amidst my suff ’ring, arm me with thy Spirit’s strength. Versus 14 For I would all sinners monish that they be to thee converted and not do what sin doth bid. Versus 15 Let, destroyer of my error, Every mortal crime now vanish that my anthem, Lord, thee praise. Versus 16 Open lips and mouth and spirit, that I may thy fame be telling, which alone to thee belongs. Versus 17 For no sacrifice thou seekest, else I’d bring to thee my off ’ring; smoke and flame content thee not. Versus 18 Heart and soul full fear and terror wilt thou, Highest, not confound then, for they cause thy heart to break. Versus 19 Let thy Zion last and flourish, build again the fallen towers, and we’ll sacrifice with joy. Versus 20 And then shall thy glory echo, and then will to thee bring pleasure Off ’rings of pure righteousness. Amen. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |