Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 98
Title What God doth, that is rightly done
Composed

10th November 1726, Leipzig

Scoring

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

Oboe I + II
Taille
Violin I + II
Viola

Basso continuo

Movements Choir: What God doth, that is rightly done
Recitative (Tenor): Ah, God! When shalt thou me at last
Aria (Soprano): Cease, ye eyes now, all your weeping
Recitative (Alto): God hath a heart which with forgiveness overflows
Aria (Bass): I my Jesus shall not leave
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event Twentyfirst Sunday after Trinity
Author of text Unknown
Text
Choir:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Oboe I + II
Taille
Violin I + II
Viola

Basso continuo

(Cantus firmus in Soprano)


Recitative:
Tenor solo
Basso continuo











Aria: Soprano solo
Oboe I solo
Basso continuo





Recitative: Alto solo
Basso continuo











Aria: Bass solo
Violin I + II
Basso continuo


What God doth, that is rightly done,
His will is just forever;
Whatever course he sets my life,
I will trust him with calmness.
He is my God,
Who in distress
Knows well how to support me;
So I yield him all power.

Ah, God! When shalt thou me at last
From my torment and pain,
And from my fear deliver?
How long then must I day and night
For help be crying?
And there's no savior here!
The Lord is to them all so near
Who in his might
And in his grace are trusting.
So I will all my confidence
On God alone establish,
For he betrays his people not.

Cease, ye eyes now, all your weeping!
For I bear
And endure my heavy yoke.
God, the Father, liveth still,
Of his people
None betraying.
Cease, ye eyes now, all your weeping!

God hath a heart which with forgiveness overflows;
And when our voices in his hearing moan
And him the cross's pain
In faith and confidence recall,
So doth his heart then break,
That he must for our sake then pity take.
He keeps his word;
He saith: Knock ye here,
And opened will it be! (1.)
So let us from this day,
When in supreme distress we hover,
Our hearts to God alone be lifting!

I my Jesus shall not leave
Till me first his countenance
Shall give favor or its blessing.
He alone
Shall my shield in all things be
Which with danger may confront me.

Epistle

Ephesians 6: 10-17

Gospel

John 4: 46-54

Bibletext 1. Matthew 7:7
Manuscript Singing Academy, Berlin; Estate C.P.E. Bach

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