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Bach Cantata Translations

BWV 69a - "Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele"

Cantata for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

1. Chor
Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele, und vergiß nicht, was er dir Gutes getan hat!
(Psalm 103:2)

1. Chorus
Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget the good He has done for you!

2. Rezitativ S
Ach, daß ich tausend Zungen hätte!
Ach wäre doch mein Mund
Von eitlen Worten leer!
Ach, daß ich gar nichts redte,
Als was zu Gottes Lob gerichtet wär!
So machte ich des Höchsten Güte kund;
Denn er hat lebenslang so viel an mir getan,
Daß ich in Ewigkeit ihm nicht verdanken kann.

2. Recitative S
Ah, that I had a thousand tongues!
Ah, if only my mouth
were empty of vain words!
Ah, that I would speak of nothing at all
except that which is justly to God's praise!
Then I would show forth the goodness of the Highest;
for He has done so much for me all my life,
that in eternity I will not be able to thank Him for it.

3. Arie T
Meine Seele,
Auf! erzähle,
Was dir Gott erwiesen hat!
  Rühme seine Wundertat,
  lass ein Gott gefällig Singen
  durch die frohen Lippen dringen!

3. Aria T
My soul,
arise! tell
what God has revealed to you!
  Speak of His wondrous deeds,
  let a song, pleasing to God,
  emerge from happy lips!

4. Rezitativ A
Gedenk ich nur zurück,
Was du, mein Gott, von zarter Jugend an
Bis diesen Augenblick
An mir getan,
So kann ich deine Wunder, Herr,
So wenig als die Sterne zählen.
Vor deine Huld, die du an meiner Seelen
Noch alle Stunden tust,
Indem du nie von deiner Liebe ruhst,
Vermag ich nicht vollkommnen Dank zu weihn.
Mein Mund ist schwach, die Zunge stumm
Zu deinem Preis und Ruhm.
Ach! Sei mir nah
Und sprich dein kräftig Hephata,
So wird mein Mund voll Dankens sein.

4. Recitative A
If I only think back
on what You, my God, from my tender youth on
until this moment
have done for me,
then I can ennumerate Your miracles, Lord,
as poorly as to count the stars.
For Your graciousness, which You have shown
to my soul at all times,
since You never rest from Your loving,
I might never find sufficient gratitude.
My mouth is weak, my tongue mute
to speak Your praise and honor.
Ah! Be near me
and speak Your powerful 'Ephphatha',
then my mouth will be full of your praise.

5. Arie B
Mein Erlöser und Erhalter,
Nimm mich stets in Hut und Wacht!
Steh mir bei in Kreuz und Leiden,
Alsdenn singt mein Mund mit Freuden:
Gott hat alles wohlgemacht.

5. Aria B
My Redeemer and Sustainer,
take me always under your protection and watch!
Stand by me in suffering and sorrow,
then my mouth will sing with joy:
God has made all things well.

6. Choral
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan,
Darbei will ich verbleiben.
Es mag mich auf die rauhe Bahn
Not, Tod und Elend treiben:
So wird Gott mich
Ganz väterlich
In seinen Armen halten.
Drum laß ich ihn nur walten.
("Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan," verse 6)

6. Chorale
What God does, is well done,
I will cling to this.
Along the harsh path
trouble, death and misery may drive me.
Yet God will,
just like a father,
hold me in His arms:
therefore I let Him alone rule.

Psalm 103:2 (mov't. 1); "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan,," verse 6: Samuel Rodigast, 1674 (mov't. 6)

©Pamela Dellal


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