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Cantata BWV 139
Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott
English Translation in Parallel Format
Cantata BWV 139 - Happy is the man, who to his God |
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Event: Chorale Cantata for the 23rd Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: Philippians 3: 17-21; Gospel: Matthew 22: 15-22
Text: Johann Christoph Rube (Mvts. 1, 6); Anon (Mvts. 2-5)
Chorale Text: Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott |
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Biblical quotations in green font , chorales in purple |
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Original German Text |
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English Translation |
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1 |
Coro |
1 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Oboe d'amore I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott
Recht kindlich kann verlassen!
Den mag gleich Sünde, Welt und Tod
Und alle Teufel hassen,
So bleibt er dennoch wohlvergnügt,
Wenn er nur Gott zum Freunde kriegt. |
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Happy is the man, who to his God
can abandon himself just like a child!
Though he may at once by sin, the world and death
and all the devils be hated,
he nevertheless remains well contented,
if only he gets God for his friend. |
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2 |
Aria T |
2 |
Aria [Tenor] |
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Violino concertante, Continuo |
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Gott ist mein Freund; was hilft das Toben,
So wider mich ein Feind erhoben!
Ich bin getrost bei Neid und Hass.
Ja, redet nur die Wahrheit spärlich,
Seid immer falsch, was tut mir das?
Ihr Spötter seid mir ungefährlich. |
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God is my friend; what use is all the raging
that an enemy has raised against me!
I am consoled in the midst of envy and hate .
Yes, though you speak the truth only rarely,
though you are always false, what is that to me ?
You scoffers are to me no danger. |
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3 |
Recitativo A |
3 |
Recitative [Alto] |
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Continuo |
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Der Heiland sendet ja die Seinen
Recht mitten in der Wölfe Wut.
Um ihn hat sich der Bösen Rotte
Zum Schaden und zum Spotte
Mit List gestellt;
Doch da sein Mund so weisen Ausspruch tut,
So schützt er mich auch vor der Welt. |
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The Saviour does send his people
in the very midst of raging wolves.
Around them the evil mob
for harm and mockery
has gathered with cunning;
however, since his mouth makes such wise utterances,
he will then protect me also from the world. |
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4 |
Aria B |
4 |
Aria [Bass] |
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Oboe d'amore, Violino, Corno |
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Das Unglück schlägt auf allen Seiten
Um mich ein zentnerschweres Rand.
Doch plötzlich erscheinet die helfende Hand.
Mir scheint des Trostes Licht von weiten;
Da lern ich erst, dass Gott allein
Der Menschen bester Freund muss sein. |
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From all sides misfortune wraps
around me a very heavy chain.
But suddenly appears his helping hand.
The light of comfort shines on me from afar;
that's when I learn that God alone
must be the best friend of mankind. |
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5 |
Recitativo S |
5 |
Recitative [Soprano] |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Ja, trag ich gleich den größten Feind in mir,
Die schwere Last der Sünden,
Mein Heiland lässt mich Ruhe finden.
Ich gebe Gott, was Gottes ist,
Das Innerste der Seelen.
Will er sie nun erwählen,
So weicht der Sünden Schuld,
so fällt des Satans List. |
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Yes, no matter that I bear my greatest enemy within myself,
the heavy burden of my sins.
My saviour will let me find inner peace.
I give to God what belongs to God
my innermost soul.
If he is willing to choose it for his own,
then the guilt of my sins grows less, the deceit of Satan falls away. |
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6 |
Choral |
6 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
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Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo |
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Dahero Trotz der Höllen Heer!
Trotz auch des Todes Rachen!
Trotz aller Welt! mich kann nicht mehr
Ihr Pochen traurig machen!
Gott ist mein Schutz, mein Hilf und Rat;
Wohl dem, der Gott zum Freunde hat! |
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For this reason I defy the hosts of hell!
I defy also the jaws of death!
I defy the whole world! No more can
its blows make me sorrowful!
God is my protection, help and counsel;
Happy is the man, who has God for his friend! |
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This Translation in Interlinear Format |
English Translation by Francis Browne (October 2002) |
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Contributed by Francis Browne (October 2002) |
