Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 250, p 662-665, n 703-706
Author: Martin Luther (1523), after Psalm 14
Chorale Melody: Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl (Zahn 4436) | Composer: Johann Walter (1524)
Theme: 5^th Sunday after Epiphany; 1^st Sunday after Trinity; 2^nd Sunday after Trinity; 3^rd Sunday after Trinity; 4^th Sunday after Trinity
Comments: Bach Digital presents only verse 1.

Description:

"Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl" ("The mouth of fools doth God confess") is a Lutheran hymn of 1524, with words written by Martin Luther in 1523, paraphrasing Psalm 14. It was published as one of eight songs in 1524 in the first Lutheran hymnal, the Achtliederbuch. It was also published later that year in the Erfurt Enchiridion. It has appeared in many hymnals, both in German and in translation. The text inspired vocal and organ music by composers such as Johann Pachelbel.
At the end of 1523, M. Luther paraphrased Psalm 14 (Psalm 13 in Vulgata numbering), in Latin Dixit insipiens in cor, attempting to make the psalms accessible to Protestant church services in German. As he did with "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein", M. Luther expanded the content of the psalm to show the precise situation of the early Reformation as a time of conflict. M. Luther wrote six stanzas of seven lines each.
The hymn was one of the eight hymns in the first Lutheran hymnal, published 1524 in Nuremberg under the title Etlich Cristlich lider (Some Christian songs), also called Achtliederbuch, which contained four songs by M. Luther, three by Paul Speratus, and one by Justus Jonas. Later that same year it appeared in Erfurt in Eyn Enchiridion, and in Wittenberg in Johann Walter's choral hymnal Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn in a five-part setting.
In the Achtliederbuch, the hymn was indicated to be sung to the same melody as "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" by P. Speratus. In the J. Walter hymnal, it appeared with a different melody.
The hymn was set by composers for instruments and for voices. J. Pachelbel composed three chorale preludes for organ as part of Erster Theil etlicher Choräle (Choräle zum praeambuliren) before 1693. J.S. Bach set the hymn in a four-part setting, BWV 308, but without text. The text was added in the Neue Bach-Ausgabe.
The hymn was translated to English as "The mouth of fools doth God confess" and appeared in Richard Massie's M. Luther's Spiritual Songs in 1854. It was copied to other hymnals. Other, less common translations were published in the 19th century.
Source: Wikipedia (January 31, 2018)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale, Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl, BWV 308
Ref: RE 27; Br 27; KE 303; Birnstiel 30; AmB 46II p.158; Levy–Mendelssohn 27; Fasch p.16; BGA 55; BC F94.1B; CST 95

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Es spricht der unweisen mund wohl,
Den rechten Gott wir meinen,
Doch ist ihr herz unglaubensvoll,
Mit that sie ihn verneinen.
Ihr wesen ist verderbet zwar,
Für Gott ist es ein gräuel gar,
Es thut ihr'r keiner kein gut.

1. The mouth of fools doth God confess,
But while their lips draw nigh Him,
Their heart is full of wickedness,
And all their deeds deny Him.
Corrupt are they, and every one
Abominable works hath done;
There is not one well-doer.

2. Gott selbst vom himmel sah herab
Auf aller menschen kinden,
Zu schaen sie er sich begab,
Ob er jemand würd' finden,
Der sein'n verstand gerichtet hätt',
Mit ernst nach Gottes willen thät',
Und fragt nach seinem willen.

2. The Lord looked from His heavenly throne
On all mankind below Him
To see if there were any one
Who truly sought to know Him,
And all his understanding bent
To search His holy Word, intent
To do His will in earnest.

3. Da war niemand auf rechter bahn,
Sie war'n all' ausgeschritten,
Ein jeder ging nach seinem wahn
Und hielt verlorne sitten.
Es thät ihr'r keiner doch kein gut,
Wie wohl gar viel betrog der muth,
Ihr thun sollt' Gott gefallen.

3. ,But none there was who walked with God,
For all aside had slidden,
Delusive paths of folly trod,
And followed lusts forbidden;
Not one there was who practiced good,
Though many deemed, in haughty mood,
Their deeds to God were pleasing.

4. Wie lang' wollen unwissen sein,
Die solche müh' aufladen,
Und fressen dafür das volk mein,
Und nähr'n sich mit sein'm schaden?
Es steht ihr trauen nicht auf Gott,
Sie rufen ihm nicht in der noth,
Sie woll'n sich selbst versorgen.

4. How long, by folly blindly led,
Will they oppress the needy
And My own flock devour like bread?
So fierce are they and greedy!
In God they put no trust at all,
Nor on His name in trouble call,
But be their own providers.

5. Darum ist ihr herz nimmer still,
Und steht allzeit in furchten,
Gott bei den frommen bleiben will,
Dem sie mit glauben g'horchen.
Ihr aber schmäht des armen rath,
Und höhnet alles, was er sagt,
Daß Gott sein trost ist worden.

5. Therefore their heart is never still,
A constant fear dismays them,
God is with him who doth His will,
Who trusts Him and obeys Him;
Ye shame the counsel of the poor
And mock him when he doth assure
That God is e’er his Refuge.

6. Wer soll Israel dem armen
Zu Zion heil erlangen?
Gott wird sich sein's volks erbarmen,
Und lösen die gefangenen.
Das wird er thun durch seinen Sohn,
Davon wird Jakob wonne han,
Und Israel sich freuen.

6. Who shall to Israel’s outcast race
From Zion bring salvation?
God will Himself at length show grace
And loose the captive nation;
That will He do by Christ, their King;
Let Jacob then be glad and sing
And Israel be joyful.

Source of German Text: Bach Digital | Hymnary.org
English Translation: Richard Massie | Source of English Translation: Richard Massie: Martin Luther’s Spiritual Songs (1854) on Hymnal Time
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - October 2018)