Stephan Reichmann

Sinfonia

2. Chorus
I had much trouble in my heart; but your
consolations revive my soul.

3. Aria
Sighs, tears, anguish, trouble,
anxious longing, fear and death
gnaw at my constricted heart,
I experience misery, pain.

4. Recitative
What? have You therefore, my God,
in my trouble,
in my fear and despair,
turned completely away from me?
Ah! do You not know Your child?
Ah! do You not hear the cries
of those, that are Yours
by covenant and faith?
Once You were my delight
and now have become grim towards me;
I seek You in all places,
I call and cry after You,
yet my woe and ah!
appears now, as though completely unknown to You.

5. Aria
Streams of salty tears,
floods pour continually forth.
Storms and waves press against me,
and this trouble-filled sea
will weaken my spirit and life,
will break mast and anchor,
here I sink to the ground,
there I gaze into the maw of Hell.

6. Chorus
Why do you trouble yourself, my soul, and are so restless in me?
Wait for God; for I will yet thank Him, since He is the help of my countenance and my God.

Part Two

7. Recitative (Dialogue - Soul, Jesus)
Ah, Jesus, my peace,
my light, where are You?
- O soul behold! I am with you. -
With me?
Here is only darkest night.
- I am Your faithful Friend,
that also watches in the darkness,
that might harbor dire mischief. -
Dawn then with Your radiance and light of comfort.
- The hour approaches already,
when your crown of battle
will become a sweet refreshment.

8. Aria (Duet)
Come, my Jesus, and revive,
- Yes, I come and revive -
And delight with Your glance.
- You with my glance of grace.
This soul,
- Your soul, shall die
- shall live,
and not live
- and not die
and in its pit of unhappiness
- here out of this cave of injury -
completely perish?
- you shall inherit -
I must constantly hover in anguish
- Salvation! Through this juice of the vine. -
Yes, ah yes, I am lost!
- No, ah no, you are chosen! -
No, ah no, You hate me!
- Yes, ah yes, I love you! -
Ah, Jesus, thoroughly sweeten my soul and heart!
- Fade, you troubles, disappear, you pains! -

9. Chorus - Chorale
Be at peace again, my soul, for the Lord has done
good things for you.

What good are heavy worries?
What can our woe and sighing do?
What help is it, that every morning
we bemoan our hard lot?
We make our torment and sorrow
only greater through melancholy.

Think not, in your heat of despair,
that you are abandoned by God,
and that God places in His lap
the one who feeds on constant happiness.
The coming time changes much
and sets a destiny for each.

10. Aria
Rejoice, soul, rejoice, heart,
fade now, troubles, disappear, pains!
Change, weeping, into pure wine,
my aching now becomes a celebration for me!
Burning and flaming is the purest candle
of love and of comfort in my soul and breast,
since Jesus comforts me with heavenly delight.

11. Chorus
The Lamb, that was slain, is worthy to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom and strength, and
honor and glory and praise.
Praise and honor and glory and power be to our
God for ever and ever. Amen, Alleluia!