Johann Sebastian Bach

back

BWV 89
Title What shall I make of thee now, Ephraim
Composed 24th October 1723, Leipzig
Scoring

Choir for 4 voices
Soprano solo
Alto solo
Bass solo
Horn
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

Movements Aria (Bass): What shall I make of thee now, Ephraim
Recitative (Alto): Yea, surely oweth God
Aria (Alto): An unforgiving word of judgment
Recitative (Soprano): Well, then, my heart will lay wrath, rage, and strife aside
Aria (Soprano): O righteous God, ah, judgest thou?
Chorale: My failings are so great
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event Twentysecond Sunday after Trinity
Author of text Johann Heermann 1630
Text
Aria:
Bass solo
Horn
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


Recitative: Alto solo
Basso continuo










Aria: Alto solo
Basso continuo





Recitative: Soprano solo
Basso continuo








Aria: Soprano solo
Oboe
Basso continuo





Chorale:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Horn
Oboe I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


What shall I make of thee now, Ephraim? (1.) Shall I protect thee, Israel?
Shall I not simply an Admah (2.) make out of thee now, and like a Zeboim (3.) transform thee?
But this my heart is other-minded, and my compassion's love is too ardent.




Yea, surely oweth God
To speak his word of judgment
And for his name's disdain
Against his foes take vengeance.
Past counting is the sum of thy transgressions,
And even though God should forbear,
Rejecteth yet the ill-will of thy spirit
The offer of his kindness
And to thy neighbor shifts the guilt;
For this his vengeance must be kindled.

An unforgiving word of judgment
Will over thee most surely come.
For vengeance will with those begin
Who have not mercy exercised, (4.)
Reducing them like Sodom to mere nothing.

Well, then, my heart will lay wrath, rage, and strife aside;
It is prepared my neighbor to forgive now.
But yet, what terror doth my sinful life afford me,
That I 'fore God in debt must stand!
But Jesus' blood
Doth my account make good,
If I to him, who is the law's foundation, (5.)
In faith take refuge.

O righteous God, ah, judgest thou?
I shall then for my soul's salvation
The drops of Jesus' blood be counting.
Ah! Put the sum to my account!
Yea, since no one can ever tell them,
They cover now my debt and failings.

My failings are so great,
But all that I would have
Is fully in my favor
By thine own blood accomplished,
So that I shall now conquer
Death, devil, hell, and error.

Epistle

Philippians 1: 3-11

Gospel

Matthew 18: 23-35

Bibletext Hosea 11:8; 1. Genesis 10:19; Genesis14:2; Genesis 8; Deuteronomy 29:33; 2. Gen. 10:19; Deuteronomy 29:23; 3. James 2:13; 4. Romans 10:4
Manuscript -

Top of page