Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 17
Title Who thanks giveth, he praiseth me
Composed 22nd September 1726, Leipzig
Scoring

Choir for 4 voices
Soprano solo
Alto solo
Tenor solo
Bass solo
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

Movements 1. Choir: Who thanks giveth, he praiseth me
2. Recitative (Alto): Thus ought the whole wide world
3. Aria (Soprano): Lord, thy goodwill extends as far as heaven is
4. Recitative (Tenor): One, however, in their number, upon seeing
5. Aria (Tenor): To me what wealth of favor
6. Recitative (Bass): My purpose now regard, for I know what I am
7. Chorale: As hath a father mercy
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
Author of text Unknown
Text

1. Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo 		Part 1

Who thanks giveth, he praiseth me, and this is the way that I shall show to him God's healing.
2. Recitative: Alto solo
Basso continuo 		Thus ought the whole wide world become a silent witness
Of God's exalted majesty,
Air, water, firmament and earth now
While in their order as a line (1.) they move;
And nature tells his praise in all the countless blessings
Which he within her lap hath laid;
And all that draweth breath
Shall have a greater portion in him
When it to give him praise both tongue and wing doth stir.
3. Aria: Soprano solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo 		Lord, thy goodwill extends as far as heaven is,
And this thy truth doth reach as far as clouds are coursing. (2.)
Knew I no other way how glorious is thy might,
Yet could I with great ease from thine own works observe it.
How could we not with thanks for this forever praise thee?
For thou shalt in return salvation's way then show us.
4. Recitative: Tenor solo
Basso continuo
 Part 2

One, however, in their number, upon seeing
that he to health was restored, turned back
again and gave praise to God with a loud
voice then and fell down upon his face
before his feet there and gave thanks to
him, and he a Samaritan was.
5. Aria: Tenor solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo		 To me what wealth of favor
Thou dost give!
But what shall thee my spirit
Give in turn?
Lord, I know nought else to offer
Than my thanks and praise to sing thee.
6. Recitative: Bass solo
Basso contiunuo		 My purpose now regard, for I know what I am:
Flesh, reason and my life, my health and strength and mind,
Which I through thee enjoy---and tell it gladly,
Are streams of thy dear grace which over me thou pourest.
Love, peace, true righteousness, thy Holy Spirit's joy (3.)
Are treasures through which thou to me e'en here dost show
What favor thou dost plan to grant me there in heaven,
In body and in soul to bring me perfect healing.
7. Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

As hath a father mercy
For all his children, young and small,
The Lord forgives us also,
When we as children fear him pure.
He knows that we are poor creatures,
God knows we are but dust.
Like as the grass in mowing,
A bud and leaf in fall,
The wind need merely blow it,
And it's no longer there:
E'en so man's life is passing,
His end is ever near.
Epistle

Galatians 5: 16-24
Gospel

Luke 17: 11-19
Bibletext Psalms 50:23; Luke 17: 15-16; 1. Psalms 19:5; 2. Psalms 57:11 ; Psalms 36:6; 3. Romans 14:17
Parody 1. Choir: Who thanks giveth, he praiseth me = BWV 236/6 Cum sancto spiritu
YouTube Video 1; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 1. Choir; 2. Recitative; 3. Aria
Video 2; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 4. Recitative; 5. Aria; 6. Recitative; 7. Chorale
Manuscript Singing Academy, Berlin; Estate C.Ph.E. Bach

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