Johann Sebastian Bach
| BWV | 2 |
| Title | Ah God, in mercy look from heaven |
| Composed | 18th June 1724, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | 1. Choir:
Ah God, in mercy look from heaven 2. Recitative (Tenor): They teach a vain and false deceit 3. Aria (Alto): God, blot out all teachings 4. Recitative (Bass): The wretched are confused 5. Aria (Tenor): The fire doth make the silver pure 6. Chorale: That wouldst thou, God, untainted keep |
| Category | Spiritual Cantata |
| Event | Second Sunday after Trinity |
| Author of text | Martin Luther 1524 |
| Text 1. Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Trumpet I + II + III + IV Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo (Cantus firmus in Alto) |
Ah God, in mercy look from heaven And grant us yet thy mercy! How few are found thy saints to be, Forsaken are we wretches; Thy word is not upheld as true, And faith is also now quite dead Among all mankind's children. |
| 2. Recitative: Tenor solo Basso continuo |
They teach a vain and false deceit, Which is to God and all his truth opposed; And what the willful mind conceiveth, ---O sorrow which the church so sorely vexeth--- That must usurp the Bible's place. The one now chooseth this, the other that, And reason's foolishness is their full scope. They are just like the tombs of dead men, Which, though they may be outward fair, Mere stench and mould contain within them And all uncleanness show when opened. |
| 3. Aria: Alto solo Violin solo Basso continuo |
God, blot out all teachings Which thy word pervert now! Check, indeed, all heresy And all the rabble spirits; For they speak out free of dread Gainst him who seeks to rule us! |
| 4. Recitative: Bass solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
The wretched are confused, Their sighing "Ah," their anxious mourning Amidst such cross and woe, Through which the foe to godly souls deal torture, Doth now the gracious ear of God Almighty reach. To this saith God: I must their helper be! I have their weeping heard, Salvation's rosy morn, The purest truth's own radiant sunshine bright Shall them with newfound strength, The source of life and hope, Refreshen and make glad. I will take pity on their suff'ring, My healing word shall strength be to the wretched. |
| 5. Aria: Tenor solo Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
The fire doth make the silver pure, The cross the word's great truth revealeth. Therefore a Christian must unceasing His cross and woe with patience bear. |
| 6. Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Trumpet I + II + III + IV Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
That wouldst thou, God, untainted keep |
| Epistle | 1 John 3: 13-18 |
| Gospel | Luke 14: 16-24 |
| Bibletext | Psalms 12; 1. Matthew 23:27 |
| YouTube | Video 1; Ton Koopman, 1. Choir Video 2; Ton Kooman, 2. Recitative Video 3; Ton Koopman, 3. Aria Video 4; Ton Koopman, 4. Recitative Video 5; Ton Koopman, 5. Aria Video 6; Ton Kooman, 6. Chorale |
| Manuscript | Music library Peters, Leipzig; Thomasschool, Leipzig; University library, Warszawa |