Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Wenn einer alle Ding verstünd
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: Fischer-Tümpel II 436
Author: David Denicke (1657)
Chorale Melody: Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein (Zahn 4431) | Composer: Anon (c1410)
Theme:

Description:

The melody of the concluding Chorale of Cantata BWV 77 is “Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein”. J.S. Bach’s ms. lacks a text here and the words of the Chorale were selected as appropriate by Carl Friedrich Zelter (1758-1833). They are the 8th stanza of the Hymn, “Wenn einer alle Ding verstünd,” published in Das Hannoverische ordentliche, vollstandige Gesangbuch (Lüneburg, 1657), attributed to David Denicke:

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Herr, durch den Glauben wohn in mir (Mvt. 6) from Cantata BWV 77 (1723) (verse 8)
Ref: RE 253; Br 253; KE 6; Di 10; BC 126:6
BWV 77/6: Chose of Carl Friedrich Zelter.

Form. Simple4. Choralgesänge, No. 6.

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1.

To be added

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8. Herr, durch den Glauben wohn in mir,
Laß ihn sich immer stärken,
Dass er sei fruchtbar für und für
Und reich in guten Werken;
Dass er sei tätig durch die Lieb,
Mit Freuden und Geduld sich üb,
Dem Nächsten fort zu dienen.

8. Lord, through faith dwell in me,
let my faith become ever stronger
so that it may be ever fruitful
and rich in good works;
so that it may act through love,
with love and patience become accustomed
to serve my neighbour continually.

English Translation by Francis Browne (verse 8: September 2005)
Contributed by Francis Browne (September 2005), Aryeh Oron (November 2018)