Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 170
Title Contented rest, belove'd inner joy
Composed 28th July 1726, Leipzig
Scoring

Alto solo
Oboe d`amore
Organ
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

Movements Aria (Alto): Contented rest, belove'd inner joy
Recitative (Alto): The world, that house of sin
Aria (Alto): What sorrow fills me for these wayward spirits
Recitative (Alto): Who shall, therefore, desire
Ari (Alto): I'm sick to death of living
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event Sixth Sunday after Trinity
Author of text Georg Christian Lehms 1711
Text
Aria:
Alto solo
Oboe d`amore
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo



Recitative: Alto solo
Basso continuo












Aria: Alto solo
Organ
Oboe d`amore
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo





Recitative: Alto solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo











Aria: Alto solo
Organ
Oboe d`amore
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


Contented rest, belove'd inner joy,
We cannot find thee midst hell's mischief,
But rather in the heav'nly concord;
Thou only mak'st the weak breast strong.
Thus I'll let only virtue's talents
Within my heart maintain their dwelling.

The world, that house of sin,
Brings nought but hellish lyrics forth
And seeks through hate and spite
The devil's image e'er to cherish.
Her mouth is filled with viper's bane,
Which oft the guiltless strikes with death,
And would alone her Raca! utter.
O righteous God, how far
In truth is man from thee divided;
Thou lov'st, but yet his mouth
Cries curse and hate abroad
And would his neighbor under foot e'er trample.
Ah, this great sin defies propitiation!

What sorrow fills me for these wayward spirits,
Who have, my God, so much offended thee;
I tremble, yea, and feel a thousand torments,
When they in nought but harm and hate find joy.
O righteous God, what may'st thou then consider,
When they who deal alone with Satan's plotters
Thy judgment's stern command so bold do flout.
Ah, I've no doubt but that thou then hast thought:
What sorrow fills me for these wayward spirits!

Who shall, therefore, desire
To live in this existence,
When nought but hate and misery
Before his love are seen?
But, since I e'en my foe
As though my closest friend
By God's commandment am to love,
Thus flees
My heart all wrath and hate
And seeks alone with God its dwelling,
Who is himself called love.
Alas, O peaceful soul,
When will he thee indeed bring to his heav'nly Zion?

I'm sick to death of living,
So take me, Jesus, hence!
I fear for mine offenses,
Let me find there that dwelling
Wherein I may have rest.

Epistle

Romans 6: 3-11

Gospel

Matthew 5: 20-26

Bibletext Matthew 5:22
Manuscript Singing Academy, Berlin; Estate C.Ph.E. Bach; Bach Archive Leipzig

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