Johann Sebastian Bach
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BWV 120
Title God, we praise thee now in the stillness
Composed 29th September 1729, Leipzig
Scoring

Choir for 4 voices
Soprano solo
Alto solo
Tenor solo
Bass solo
Trumpet I + II + III
Bassdrum
Oboe d`amore I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

Movements Aria (Alto): God, we praise thee now in the stillness
Choir: Triumph, all ye joyous voices
Recitative (Bass): Wake, thou beloved linden town
Aria (Soprano): Health and blessing shall and must at ev'ry hour
Recitative (Tenor): O Lord, so consecrate this government with thine own blessing now
Chorale: Now help us, Lord, these servants thine
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event Inauguration of the New Town Council
Author of text probably Christian Friedrich Henrici
Text
Aria:
Alto solo
Oboe d`amore I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo



Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Trumpet I + II + III
Bassdrum
Oboe d`amore I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

Recitative: Bass solo
Basso continuo















Aria: Soprano solo
Violin concertante
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


Recitative: Tenor solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Basso continuo
(Other Instruments unknown)



 


God, we praise thee now in the stillness of Zion, and thee we pay our solemn pledges.





Triumph, all ye joyous voices,
Soaring into heaven, rise!

Praise God in his holy shrine
And exalt ye his great fame;
All his kindness,
His forgiving heart of mercy,
Shall at no time ever cease!


Wake, thou beloved linden town,
Come, fall before thy master humbly,
Acknowledge how he thee,
In all thy splendor's state,
So fatherly
Supports, protects, and guards,
And doth his hand of love
Still over thee steadfastly hold.
Rise up,
And pay thy solemn pledges, which thou the Highest now hast vowed,
And sing thy songs of thanks most humble!
Come, pray now that he town and land
Unending wish e'en more to foster
And this its honored government,
Today with seats and vote renewed,
Through many splendors wish to favor.

Health and blessing
Shall and must at ev'ry hour
Bide with our high government,
In their proper fullness dwelling,

So that faith and justice shall be
Led as friends to kiss each other. (1.)

O Lord, so consecrate this government with thine own blessing now,
That ev'ry malice may flee from us,
And that true righteousness within our dwellings flourish,
That thine own Father's seed unspotted
And thy most blessed name's due honor
With us in glory ever reign!

Now help us, Lord, these servants thine,
Whom with thy blood thou hast redeemed!
Let us in heaven have a share
With the saints forever saved!
Thy people help, Lord Jesus Christ,
And bless them, thine inheritance;
Guard and tend them at ev'ry hour
And raise them high forever more!

Bibletext Psalms 65:1; 1. Psalms 85:10
Manuscript Estate Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Musicscience Institute of University of Halle

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