Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 54
Title Christian , ne`er let sin o`erpower thee!
Composed 15th July 1714, Weimar
Scoring

Alto solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

Movements Aria (Alto):Christian , ne`er let sin o`erpower thee!
Rezitative (Alto): The shape of vile transgression
Aria (Alto): Who sin commits is of the devil
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event Sunday Oculi
Author of text Georg Christian Lehms 1711
Text
Aria:
Alto solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo



Recitative: Alto solo
Basso continuo













Aria: Alto solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


Christian , ne`er let sin o`erpower thee!
Or its poison thee will seize.

Be thou not by Satan blinded,
For God's glory to dishonor
Brings a curse of fatal doom
.

The shape of vile transgression
In sooth is outward wondrous fair;
But yet one must
Receive with sorrow and dismay
Much toil and woe thereafter.
The outside is pure gold,
But, should one look within,
Appears nought but an empty shadow
And whited sepulcher. (1.)
It is the Sodom's apple like,
And those who are with it united
Shall never reach God's heav'nly realm.
It is just like a sharpened sword
Which doth our soul and body pierce.

Who sin commits is of the devil, (2.)
For he it was who brought it forth.
But if one gainst its haughty fetters
With true devotion stand steadfastly,
Shall it at once from here take flight.

Epistle

Ephesians 5: 1-9

Gospel

Luke 11: 14-28

Bibletext 1. Matthew 23:27; 2. 1 John 3:8
Manuscript Royal library Brussels; Universitätsbibliothek Warschau

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