Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Christus der uns selig macht
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 70; EG 77
Author: Michael Weisse (1531)
German translation of the 14th century Latin hymn “Patris Sapientia,” for the Canonical Hours of Good Friday.
Chorale Melody: Christus der uns selig macht (Zahn 6285) | Composer: Anon (Bohemian brothers, 1501 / 1531)
Theme: Passiontide

Description:

"Christus, der uns Selig macht" is J.S. Bach's most-often set of Michael Weisse's hymns, for Palm Sunday to Good Friday. It is based on Eigido of Colonna's Patris sapientia, veritas divina (Christ, divine truth, 14th century, Good Friday canonical hours, https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://livreheurestraduit.pagesperso-orange.fr/Notes/28.Hymne.htm&prev=search). M. Weisse originally published "Christus, der uns Selig macht" for Lent/Palm Sunday as a continuation of his 22-stanza hymn, "Christus wahrer Gottes Sohn, auf Erden Leibhaftig" (Christ truly God's Son, from earth personified), "which describes Christ's life until the Passion, although separate from it," says Mark S. Bighley. "The various canonical hours are evident in Stanzas 1-7," from Lauds/Matins to Compline, closing with verse eight, "O hilf, Christe! Gottes sohn." It is found in the NLGB as No. 71-I, Passiontide (Zahn melody 6283b) with music (https://books.google.com/books?id=UmVkAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA148#v=onepage&q&f=false. The text is found in the Schmelli Gesangbuch (Leipzig 1536) on pages 167f under the rubric Good Friday.
J.S. Bach used "Christus, der uns Selig macht" as four plain chorale Passion settings and the melody in chorale prelude collections, Orgelbüchlein, BWV 620(a) for Passiontide, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM7HpABAUac), says Peter Williams, and questionable settings, BWV 747, and deest Emans 46 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pcEtkUSSWg). Plain chorale settings appear twice in the St. John Passion (SJP) BWV 245, at the beginning and end of the extended trial before Pilate, opening Part 2, beginning in E Major (no. 15, http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0245_15.htm, ) and ending in F Major (no. 37, http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0245_37.htm), using the first and last stanza, "O hilf Christe! Gottes Sohn."
J.S. Bach's chorale usage in the SJP generally emphasizes the Christus Victor concept of atonement, notably in the multiple uses of "Christus, der uns Selig macht," as well as the signature chorale, three times (nos.14, 15a, 32), Paul Stockmann’s "Jesu Leiden, Pein und Tod" (Melchior Vulpius' melody “Jesu Kreuz, Leiden und Pein), and “Herzleibster Jesu” twice, (3 and 17). J.S. Bach also set the Phrygian hymn in two other plain chorale Passion contexts: in E Major, BWV 283, http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0245_37.htm, possibly in the 1717 Weimar/Gotha Passion oratorio, catalogued as Bach Compendium BC D 1/6=F 31.1, and as BWV 1084 in D Major (http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV1084.htm, in the c1747 St. Mark Passion pasticcio (BNB I/K/2), No. 14, in the same place as BWV 245/37, the end of Jesus' trial before Pilate.
Source: Passiontide Devotional Chorales, Other Weiße Hymns (William Hoffman, February 20, 2018)

Both words and melody of the hymn, “Christus der uns selig macht,” are adapted from the Latin “Patris Sapientia, veritas divina.” The words are by Michael Weisse and were first published, with the tune, in 1531. The melody occurs also in the St John Passion (1723), Nos. 12, 35; Choralgesänge, No. 48; and the Orgelbüchlein.
Source: Charles Sanford Terry: Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works (1921), pp 119-121

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Christus, der uns selig macht (Mvt. 15) from Johannes-Passion BWV 245 (verse 1)
Ref: RE 81; Br 80; Birnstiel 77; Fasch p.138

Chorale O hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn (Mvt. 37) from Johannes-Passion BWV 245 (verse 8)
Ref: RE 113; Br 113; Birnstiel 117; Fasch p.140

Chorale Christus, der uns selig macht, BWV 283
Ref: RE 198=307; Br 198=306;KE 48; Birnstiel 315; AmB 46II p.91 & p.136; Penzel 131, BGA 30; BC F98.1

Chorale O hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn, BWV 1084 (from the Markus-Passion Pasticcio)
Ref: BC D5

Latin Text

English Translation

Matutinum:
1. Patris sapientia veritas divina.
Deus homo captus est hora matutina.
A notis et discipulis cito derelictus
a iudeis traditus venditus et afflictus.

Primam:
2. Hora prima ductus est ihesus ad pilatum.
Falsis testimoniis multum accusatum :
In collo percutiunt manibus ligatum
Vultum dei conspuunt lumen celi gratum.

Tertiam:
3. Crucifige clamitant hora tertiarum
illusus induitur veste purpurarum.
Caput eius pungitur corona spinarum :
Crucem portat humeris ad locum penarum.

Sextam:
4. Hora sexta ihesus est cruci conclavatus,
et est cum latronibus pendens deputatus.
Pre tormentis sitiens felle saturatus,
agnus crimen diluit sic ludificatus.

Nonam:
5. Hora nona dominus ihesus expiravit,
hely clamans animam patri commendavit.
Latus eius lancea miles perforavit,
terra tunc contremuit et sol obscuravit.

Vesperas:
6. De cruce deponitur hora vespertina
fortitudo latuit in mente divina.
Talem mortem subiit vite medicina.
Heu corona glorie iacuit spina.

Completorium:
7. Hora completorii datur sepulture.
Corpus xpristi nobile spes vite future.
Conditor aromate complentur scripture
iugis sic memorie mors hec michi cure.

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Christus der uns selig macht,
kein Bös hat begangen,
der ward für uns in der Nacht
als ein Dieb gefangen,
geführt vor gottlose Leut,
und fälschlich verklaget,
verlacht, verhöhnt und verspeit,
wie denn die Schrift saget.

1. Christ, by Whose all-saving Light
Mankind benefited,
Was for Sinners in the Night
As a Thief committed.
Dragged before a wicked Court
Of the Jewish Clergy;
Where they tried their worst Effort
’Gainst the Lord of Mercy.

2. In der ersten Tagesstund
ward er unbescheiden
als ein Mörder dargestellt
Pilato, dem Heiden,
der ihn unschuldig bestand,
ohne Sach des Todes,
ihn derhalben von sich sandt
zum König Herodes.
[source 1]

2. Sentenced early by this Crew,
As the worst of Sinners,
Came to Pilate, who foreknew
This Tumult’s Beginners:
Though he judged Him innocent
Of their Accusation,
Yet to Herod He was sent
For his Arbitration.

2. In der ersten Stund am Tag,
da er sollte leiden,
bracht man ihn mit harter Klag
Pilatus dem Heiden,
der ihn unschuldig befand,
ohn Ursach des Todes,
ihn derhalben von sich sandt
zum König Herodes.
[source 2]

3. Um drei ward der Gottessohn
mit Geißeln geschmissen
und sein Haupt mit einer Kron
von Dornen zerrissen;
gekleidet zu Hohn und Spo
ward er sehr geschlagen,
und das Kreuz zu seinem Tod
mußt er selber tragen.

3. Then His holy Flesh was torn
With inhuman Lashes,
And His blessed Head in Scorn
Crowned of sinful Ashes:
Cloathed in a Purple Dress,
Mocked, and beat, and bruised;
Thus the Source of Holiness
Was by Sin misused.

4. Um sechs ward er nackt und bloß
an das Kreuz geschlagen,
an dem er sein blut vergroß,
betet mit Wehklagen:
die Zuseher spotten sein,
auch die bei ihm hingen,
bis die Sonn auch ihren Schein
entzog solchen Dingen.

4. Then at Noon the Son of God
To the Cross was nailed,
Where His fervent Prayer and Blood
For our Sins prevailed:
The Spectators shook their Head,
Had Him in derision,
Till the Sun-light mourning fled
From so sad a Vision.

5. Jesus schrie zur neunten Stund,
klaget sich verlassen;
bald ward Gall in seinen Mund
mit Essig gelassen;
da gab er auf seinen Geist,
und die Erd erbebet,
des Tempels Vorhang zerreißt,
und manch Fels zerklöbet.
[source 1]

5. When at Three they heard Him call:
Why am I forsaken?
Strait was Vinegar mixed with Gall
Offered, but not taken:
Then to God His Spirit went,
Shaking the Earth with Wonder,
Gave the Vail a thorough Rent,
Cleft the Rocks asunder.

5. Jesus schrie zur neunten Stund,
großer Qual verfallen,
ihm ward dargereicht zum Mund
Essigtrank mit Gallen;
da gab er auf seinen Geist,
und die Erd erzittert,
des Tempels Vorhang zerreißt,
und manch Fels zersplittert.
[source 2]

6. Da hat man zur Vesperzeit
die Schächer zerbrochen,
ward Jesus in seiner Seit
mit eim Speer gestochen,
daraus Blut und Wasser rann,
die Schrift zu erfüllen,
wie Johannes zeiget an,
nur um unsertwillen.
[source 1]

6. At the approaching Evening Tide,
Criminals Bones were broken;
But the Spear pierced Jesus’ Side,
For a lasting Token:
Which poured forth a double Flood
Of a cleansing Nature.
Both the Water and the Blood
Wash the guilty Creature.

6. Da man hatt’ zur Vesperzeit
die Schächer zerbrochen,
ward Jesus in seine Seit
mit dem Speer gestochen;
daraus Blut und Wasser rann,
die Schrift zu erfüllen,
wie Johannes zeiget an,
nur um unsertwillen.
[source 2]

7. Da der Tag sein Ende nahm,
der Abend war kommen,
ward Jesus vons Kreuzes Stamm
durch Joseph genommen,
herrlich, nach Jüdischer Art,
in ein Grab geleget,
allda mit Hütern verwahrt,
wie Matthäus zeiget.
[source 1]

7. Joseph, when the Eve was come,
Took his dearest Master,
Laid Him in his Stately Tomb,
Hewn in Alabaster;
Nicodem, now void of Fear,
Brought the richest Spices:
Thus these holy Men paid here
Their last Sacrifices.

7. Da der Tag sein Ende nahm,
der Abend war kommen,
ward Jesus vom Kreuzesstamm
durch Joseph genommen,
herrlich, nach der Väter Art,
in ein Grab geleget,
allda mit Hütern verwahrt,
wie Matthäus zeiget.
[source 2]

8. O hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn,
durch dein bitter Leiden,
daß wir stets dir unterthan
all Untugend meiden,
deinen Tod und sein Ursach
fruchtbarlich bedenken,
dafür, wiewohl arm und schwach,
dir Dankopfer schenken. (Amen.)
[source 1]

8. Grant, O Jesu, blessed Lord,
By Thy Cross and Passion,
Thy blest Love may be adored
By the whole Creation:
Hating Sin, the woful Cause
Of Thy Death and Suffering,
Give our Heart to obey Thy Laws
As the best Thanks-offering.

8. O hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn,
durch dein bitter Leiden,
dass wir dir stets untertan
Sünd und Unrecht meiden,
deinen Tod und sein Ursach
fruchtbar nun bedenken,
dafür, wiewohl arm und schwach,
dir Dankopfer schenken.
[source 2]

Source of Latin Text: Chants Protestants
Source of German Text: 1. Hymnologypt Blog | 2. Die Christliche Liederdatenbank
English Translation: John Christian Jacobi | Source of English Transalation: Charles Sanford Terry: Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works (1921), pp 119-121
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - October 2018)