Sunday Cantata

"The eyes of all look to you". This cantata draws on texts from both the Old and the New Testaments to reassure us that we can trust God since He has provides for us and has promised to care for us.

"Contented peace, beloved joy of the soul". This cantata for solo alto reminds us that true and lasting peace and joy can only be found in God’s kingdom.

"If thou but trust in God to guide thee". A chorale cantata based on a hymn by Georg Neumark, this work calls on the Christian to trust in God’s goodness and guidance in all circumstances.

"I had much affliction". The distressed soul calls to God for relief, and Jesus responds with the promise of peace and unending care.

"O Lord, look down from heaven, behold". A chorale cantata based on Luther’s paraphrase of Psalm 12. A prayer of the faithful for the protection of God’s holy word against heresy and false belief.

"Share your bread with the hungry". A call for Christians to care for the needs of the hungry and poor – and to give thanks to God for all the good things He has done for us.

"The Lord, my God, be praised". A chorale cantata for Trinity Sunday, setting the words of this well-known hymn of praise by Johannes Olearius.

"If anyone loves me, he will keep my word" (John 14:23). A Christian implores Christ to dwell in him and never leave him. Christ promises to make His dwelling place in everyone who believes in Him (John 14:28), which is the source of the Christian’s hope and joy.

"Praise God in His kingdoms" – the Ascension Oratorio. [Translation of the libretto]

"Until now you have asked nothing in my name" (John 16:24). A call to fervent prayer: since we have transgressed God’s will and failed to believe the Gospel, we must entrust ourselves to His promise to have mercy on us.

"Where are you going?" (John 16:5). A reminder to Christians not to be falsely attached to this world but always to have in mind the promise of eternal life.

"Weeping, lamentation, worry, apprehension" (John 16:20). Jesus turns our sorrow into joy.

"Hear, O shepherd of Israel" (Psalm 80:1). A meditation on Jesus as the Good Shepherd of His flock, who will feed and tend them.

"On the evening of the same Sabbath" (John 20:19). Jesus is in the midst of His children, and and he is their shield against temptation. [Translation of the libretto]

"Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands". Written when Bach was only 22, this is one of his finest cantatas. It sets the words of Luther’s great Easter hymn, celebrating Jesus’ victory over death.

"King of heaven, be welcome". As Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and was welcomed by His disciples, so Christians are called to welcome Jesus in faith.

"Come, sweet hour of death". The soul’s eager longing to be finally united with Jesus—an encounter that makes the hour of death itself a sweet hour.

"I will not let go of you unless you bless me" (Genesis 32:26). A funeral cantata, entrusting oneself to Jesus, as the only trustworthy comfort.

"God’s time is always the best time". One of Bach’s best-known and most beautiful vocal works, this funeral cantata sets a collection of funeral sentences, which remind us of our mortality and call us to place our trust in God’s promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul". Bach’s very first cantata, a setting of Psalm 25.

"Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord". A penitential cantata, setting Psalm 130.

"Jesus took the twelve". A prayer to Jesus to draw us to Himself, to enable us to follow Him, so that nothing will cause us to lose our salvation.

"Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy word". A chorale cantata paraphrasing and elaborating on one of Luther’s best-known hymns, calling on God to protect His children by the power of His word from the enemies of the faith.

"I am content with my fortune". An acknowledgement that everything we have is from God, that all of it is an unmerited gift, and that Christians have the hope of a better reward than what this life offers.

"My sighs, my tears". A call to the troubled and anxious to turn to God in prayer: He will not fail to help.