Franz Anton Maulbertsch, The Trinity, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, 18th c.O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad,
O sacred bath of water and the Spirit
Cantata 165
BWV 165
Event: Trinity Sunday
1st Performance: June 16, 1715, Weimar
Readings: Epistle: Romans 11: 33-36; Gospel: John 3: 1-15
Text: Salomo Franck (Mvts. 1-5); Ludwig Helmbold (Mvt. 6)
Chorale Text: Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren
Click to read brief commentaries by Simon Crouch for Classical Net, James Leonard for All Music, and Craig Smith for Emmanuel Music.
Performance of Cantata 165 by Soprano: Caroline Stam; Alto: Elisabeth von Magnus; Tenor: Paul Agnew; Bass: Klaus Mertens; Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir; Conductor: Ton Koopman.
The following performance of Cantata 165 is available for free online listening to those with access to Naxos Music Library (Search: Bach Cantata 165). Cardholders of the Bibliothèque nationale (Montreal) may listen to the entire canata by clicking on [NML] here or individual movements by clicking on [NML] at the beginning of each movement. Check with your librarian. (info)
1) Aria [Soprano] Violino I/II, Viola, Fagotto, Continuo [NML] (info)
O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad,
O sacred bath of water and the Spirit
Das Gottes Reich uns einverleibet
that incorporates us in God’s kingdom
Und uns ins Buch des Lebens schreibet!
and writes us down in the book of life!
O Flut, die alle Missetat
O flood-tide, that drowns all misdeeds
Durch ihre Wunderkraft ertränket
through its miraculous power
Und uns das neue Leben schenket!
and gives us the gift of new life!
O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad!
O sacred bath of water and the Spirit!
2) Recitative [Bass] Continuo [NML] (info)
Die sündige Geburt verdammter Adamserben
The sinful birth of the damned seed of Adam
Gebieret Gottes Zorn, den Tod und das Verderben.
brings forth God’s anger, death and destruction.
Denn was vom Fleisch geboren ist,
For what is born of flesh
Ist nichts als Fleisch, von Sünden angestecket,
is no more than flesh, by sin infected
Vergiftet und beflecket.
poisoned and defiled
Wie selig ist ein Christ!
How blessed is a Christian!
Er wird im Geist- und Wasserbade
By the bath of water and the Spirit
Ein Kind der Seligkeit und Gnade.
he becomes a child of blessedness and mercy.
Er ziehet Christum an
He puts on Christ
Und seiner Unschuld weiße Seide,
and the white silk of his innocence
Er wird mit Christi Blut, der Ehren Purpurkleide,
He is clothed with Christ’s blood, the purple robe of honour
Im Taufbad angetan.
in baptism.
3) Aria [Alto] Continuo [NML] (info)
Jesu, der aus großer Liebe
Jesus, who by your great love
In der Taufe mir verschriebe
in baptism has written me down for
Leben, Heil und Seligkeit,
for life, salvation and blessedness,
Hilf, dass ich mich dessen freue
help me to rejoice in this
Und den Gnadenbund erneue
and to renew the covenant of mercy
In der ganzen Lebenszeit.
throughout my whole lifetime.
4) Recitative [Bass] Violino I/II, Viola, Fagotto, Continuo [NML] (info)
Ich habe ja, mein Seelenbräutigam,
I have indeed, my soul’s bridegroom,
Da du mich neu geboren,
since you have given me a new birth,
Dir ewig treu zu sein geschworen,
sworn to be faithful to you for ever,
Hochheilges Gotteslamm;
most holy lamb of God;
Doch hab ich, ach! den Taufbund oft gebrochen
Yet I have, alas! often broken the covenant of baptism
Und nicht erfüllt, was ich versprochen,
and not fulfilled what I have promised
Erbarme, Jesu, dich aus Gnaden über mich!
In your mercy have pity on me!
Vergib mir die begangne Sünde,
Forgive me the sins I have commtted,
Du weißt, mein Gott, wie schmerzlich ich empfinde
you know, my God, how painfully I feel
Der alten Schlangen Stich;
the old serpent’s sting;
Das Sündengift verderbt mir Leib und Seele,
Sin’s poison destroys my body and soul,
Hilf, dass ich gläubig dich erwähle,
Help me, so that in faith I may choose you,
Blutrotes Schlangenbild,
blood-red image of a serpent,
Das an dem Kreuz erhöhet,
that was raised on the cross,
Das alle Schmerzen stillt
and calms all pain
Und mich erquickt, wenn alle Kraft vergehet.
and gives me new life, when all my strength fails.
5) Aria [Tenor] Violino I/II all' unisono, Continuo [NML] (info)
Jesu, meines Todes Tod,
Jesus, death of my death
Laß in meinem Leben
in my life
Und in meiner letzten Not
and in my last agony
Mir für Augen schweben,
let me keep this thought in view :
Dass du mein Heilschlänglein seist
that for me you are the beloved serpent who brings salvation
Vor das Gift der Sünde.
from the poison of sin
Heile, Jesu, Seel und Geist,
Save, Jesus, my soul and spirit
Dass ich Leben finde!
so that I may find life.
6) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Violino I col Soprano, Violino II
coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Fagotto col Basso, Continuo [NML] (info)
Sein Wort, sein Tauf, sein Nachtmahl
His word, his baptism, his supper
Dient wider allen Unfall,
serve us against all misfortune
Der Heilge Geist im Glauben
The Holy Spirit in faith
Lehrt uns darauf vertrauen.
teaches us to trust in these things.
The German Text:http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/bach.html. The English Translation is by Francis Browne: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Intro.htm. Both used by permission.
