Johann Sebastian Bach
| BWV | 25 |
| Title | There is nought of soundness within my body |
| Composed | 29th August 1723, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | 1. Choir:
There is nought of soundness within my body 2. Recitative (Tenor): Now all the world is but a hospital 3. Aria (Bass): Ah, where shall this wretch find help 4. Recitative (Soprano): O Jesus, O dear Master 5. Aria (Soprano): Open to my songs so meager 6. Chorale: I will all my days forever |
| Category | Spiritual Cantata |
| Event | Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity |
| Author of text | Johann Heermann 1630 |
| Text 1. Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Horn Trumpet I + II + III Recorder I + II + III Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
There is nought of soundness within my body, for thou art angry, nor any quiet within these my bones now, for I am sinful. |
| 2. Recitative: Tenor solo Basso continuo |
Now all the world is but a hospital, Where mortals in their numbers passing count And even children in the cradle In sickness lie with bitter anguish. The one is tortured in the breast By raging fever's angry lust; Another lieth ill From his own honor's odious foul stench; The third is torn by lust for gold, Which hurls him to an early grave. The first great fall hath ev'ryone polluted And with its rash of sinfulness infected. Ah, this great bane doth gnaw as well my members. Where is a cure for wretched me? Who will by me within my suff'ring stand? My healer who, who will restore me? |
| 3. Aria: Bass solo Basso continuo |
Ah, where shall this wretch find help? All my rashes, all my cankers Can no herb or plaster cure now But the balm of Gilead. (1.) Healer mine, Lord Jesus, thou Know'st alone my soul's best cure. |
| 4. Recitative: Soprano solo Basso continuo |
O Jesus, O dear Master, To thee I flee: Ah, strengthen thou my weakened vital spirits! Have mercy now, Thou help and doctor of all ailing, O thrust me not Hence from thy countenance! My Healer, make me clean from my great rash of sin, And I will thee Give all my heart in turn In lasting sacrifice And through my life for all thy help be grateful. |
| 5. Aria: Sopran solo Recorder I + II + III Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Open to my songs so meager, Jesus, thy most gracious ear! When I there in choirs above Shall be with the angels singing, Shall my thankful song sound better. |
| 6. Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Horn Trumpet I + II + III Recorder I + II + III Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
I will all my days forever |
| Epistle | Galatians 5: 16-24 |
| Gospel | Luke 17: 11-19 |
| Bibletext | Psalms 38:4; 1. Jeremiah 8:22 , Jeremiah 46:11 |
| YouTube | Video 1; Ton Koopman, 1. Choir Video 2; Ton Koopman, 2. Recitative Video 3; Ton Koopman, 3. Aria Video 4; Ton Koopman, 4. Recitative Video 5; Ton Koopman, 5. Aria Video 6; Ton Koopman, 6. Chorale |
| Manuscript | Bodleian library, Oxford, Estate Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy |