Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 111
Title What my God will, be done alway
Composed 21st January 1725, Leipzig
Scoring

Choir for 4 voices
Soprano solo
Alto solo
Tenor solo
Bass solo

Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

Movements Choir: What my God will, be done alway
Aria (Bass): Be frightened, O my bosom, not,
Recitative (Alto): O foolish one, who doth from God withdraw
Aria (Duetto: Alto, Tenor): I'll walk, then, with emboldened paces
Recitative (Soprano): So when by death at last my soul
Chorale: Just this, Lord, will I ask of thee
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Author of text Duke Albrecht of Preussen 1547
Text
Choir:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

(Cantus firmus in Soprano)



Arie:
Bass solo
Basso continuo





Recitative: Alto solo
Basso continuo









Aria (Duetto):
Alto solo, Tenor solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo



Recitative:
Soprano solo
Oboe I + II
Basso continuo




Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


What my God will, be done alway,
His will, it is the best will;
To help all those he is prepared
Whose faith in him is steadfast.
He frees from want, this righteous God,
And punisheth with measure:
Who trusts in God, on him relies,
Him will he not abandon.

Be frightened, O my bosom, not,
God is thy strength and confidence
And to thy soul life bringeth.
Yea, what his wisdom doth decide,
Can by the world and human might
In no way be resisted.

O foolish one, who doth from God withdraw
And, like a Jonas once,
Before the face of God doth flee! (1.)
Our very thoughts to him are manifest,
And of our head's own hairs
He hath the number.
Blest he who this protection chooseth
In faithfulness and trusting:
To look to his command
With patience and with expectation.

I'll walk, then, with emboldened paces,
E'en when me God to grave shall lead.
As God my days hath set in writing,
So shall, when me his hand hath touched,
The bitterness of death be banished. (2.)

So when by death at last my soul
Is with great force hence from its body torn,
Receive it, God, in faithful hands paternal!
When devil, death and sin on me make war,
And my own deathbed's pillow
Must be a field of battle,
Bring help, so that in thee my faith triumph!

Just this, Lord, will I ask of thee,
Thou wilt me not deny it:
When me the evil spirit tries,
Let me still not be anxious.
Help, guide, defend, ah God, my Lord,
To thy name's fame and honor.
Who this doth seek, him is it giv'n;
And I say gladly: Amen.

Epistle

Romans 12: 17-21

Gospel

Matthew 8: 1-13

Bibletext 1. Jonah 1:3; 2. 1 Samuel 15:32
Manuscript Jagiellonska library, Krakau; Singing Academy, Berlin; Bibliotheque nationale, Paris; University library, Warzawa; Music Sciences Institute of Universit; Bonn

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