Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata 51

Maître François, God's Providence, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague, 1475-80


Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!
Shout for joy to God in every land!
 

Cantata 51

BWV 51


Event: Solo Cantata for 15th Sunday after Trinity
1st Performance:
Sept. 17, 1730 ? Leipzig
Readings: Epistle:
Galatians 5: 25 - 6: 10; Gospel: Matthew 6: 23-34
Text: Johann Gramann (Mvt. 4); Anon (Mvts. 1-3). According to W. Murray Young, J. S. Bach himself was probable librettist. The text for Mvt. 2 comes from Psalm 138: 2 and Psalm 26: 8.
Chorale Text: Nun lob, mein' Seel', den Herren 

Click to read brief commentaries by Simon Crouch for Classical Net, Virginia Sublett for All Music, Julian Mincham, and Craig Smith for Emmanuel Music.

Click to go to 9 versions other than Jeffrey Thomas.

Cantata 51 performed by Soprano: Julianne Baird; American Bach Soloists; Jeffrey Thomas conducting.


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Click to hear Johann Sebastian Bach, Cantata 51. Then click on track 14. Listen to the whole work or click on individual tracks: 14-17. It may be necessary to click on arrow and slide button on right. To avoid spoken announcement about the track or even an advertisement, click on the next track as soon as the previous one finishes.


1) Aria [Soprano] Tromba, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!
Shout for joy to God in every land!
Was der Himmel und die Welt
An Geschöpfen in sich hält,

All the creatures contained in heaven and earth
Müssen dessen Ruhm erhöhen,
must exalt his glory,
Und wir wollen unserm Gott
and to our God we would
Gleichfalls itzt ein Opfer bringen,
now likewise bring an offering
Dass er uns in Kreuz und Not
since in affliction and distress

 Allezeit hat beigestanden. 
at all times he has stood by us.

2) Recitative [Soprano] Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo


Wir beten zu dem Tempel an,
We pray at the temple
Da Gottes Ehre wohnet,
where God's honour dwells,
Da dessen Treu, 

where his faithfulness
So täglich neu,
that is renewed every day
Mit lauter Segen lohnet.
Rewards us with unmixed blessing.

 Wir preisen, was er an uns hat getan.
We praise what he has done for us. 

Muss gleich der schwache Mund von seinen Wundern lallen,
Even if our weak mouths have to babble about his wonders,
So kann ein schlechtes Lob ihm dennoch wohlgefallen. 

yet imperfect praise can still please him.

3) Aria [Soprano] Continuo

Höchster, mache deine Güte
Most High God, make your goodness
Ferner alle Morgen neu.

 new every morning from now on.
So soll vor die Vatertreu 

Then to your fatherly love
Auch ein dankbares Gemüte
a thankful spirit in us in turn
Durch ein frommes Leben weisen,
through a devout life will show 

Dass wir deine Kinder heißen.
 that we are called your children.

4) Chorale [Soprano] Violino I/II, Continuo

Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren
May there be praise and glory and honour 

Gott Vater, Sohn, Heiligem Geist!
For God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! 

Der woll in uns vermehren,
May it be his will to increase in us
Was er uns aus Gnaden verheißt,
what he promises us through his grace, 

Dass wir ihm fest vertrauen,
so that we firmly trust in him, 

Gänzlich uns lass'n auf ihn. 
rely completely on him, 
Von Herzen auf ihn bauen,
from our hearts build on him,
Dass uns'r Herz, Mut und Sinn
so that our heart, spirit and mind
Ihm festiglich anhangen; 

depend steadfastly on him; 
Drauf singen wir zur Stund:
about this we now sing:
Amen, wir werdn's erlangen,
Amen, we shall achieve this, 

Glaub'n wir aus Herzensgrund.
if we believe from the bottom of our hearts.


5) Aria [Soprano] Tromba, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Alleluja!
Alleluia!