Lutheran chorale of 1524, with words by Martin Luther
"Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein " English Oh God, look down from heaven Catalogue Zahn 4431–4432a Text by Martin Luther Language German Published 1524 (1524 )
"Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein " ("Oh God, look down from heaven") is a Lutheran chorale of 1524, with words written by Martin Luther paraphrasing Psalm 12 . It was published as one of eight songs in 1524 in the first Lutheran hymnal , the Achtliederbuch, which contained four songs by Luther, three by Speratus , and one by Justus Jonas . It was contained in 1524 in the Erfurt Enchiridion . It is part of many hymnals, also in translations. The text inspired vocal and organ music by composers such as Heinrich Schütz , who set it as part of his Becker Psalter , and Johann Sebastian Bach , who based a chorale cantata on it. Mozart used one of its tunes in his opera The Magic Flute .[ 1]
Der XI. Psalm Salvum me fac , p. 2, Erfurt Enchiridion, 1524 At the end of 1523, Luther paraphrased Psalm 12 (Psalm 11 in Vulgata numbering), Psalms 12 , in Latin Salvum me fac , attempting to make the psalms accessible to Protestant church services in German. Luther's poetry first follows the verses of the psalm exactly, then combines two verses to one. He expanded the content of the psalm to show the precise situation of the early Reformation as a time of conflict.[ 2]
The hymn was first printed as one page inserted in the Wittenberger Dreiliederblatt (lost). It was one of eight hymns of the first Lutheran hymnal , published 1524 in Nuremberg under the title Etlich Cristlich lider (Some Christian songs), also called Achtliederbuch. The same year it appeared in Erfurt in Eyn Enchiridion .[ 3] [ 4] The hymn was soon used as a Protestant Kampflied (battle song).
The chorale became the Lutheran Hauptlied (main hymn) for the second Sunday after Trinity .[citation needed ]
In the first Lutheran hymnal the melody was the same as for "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her " by Paul Speratus (Zahn No. 4430 ).[ 4] [ 5] [ 6] In the Erfurt Enchiridion , also in 1524, the text first appeared with a tune codified by Martin Luther,[ 7] Zahn No. 4431,[ 5] which was derived from the secular song "Begierlich in dem Herzen mein" (The lustful desires in my heart) from about 1410. This melody is in Phrygian mode , preferred by Luther for texts of repentance, such as "Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir ".[ 4] In Johann Walter 's hymnal Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn , published in Wittenberg in 1524, it appeared with a different melody (Zahn No. 4432a).[ 4] [ 5]
The Zahn No. 4431 melody was set by composers for instruments like harpsichord and organ, and for voices.
Chorale prelude by Johann Pachelbel
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck composed a piece for harpsichord , elaborating on the tune.[ 8] Johann Pachelbel composed two chorale preludes for organ. Johann Sebastian Bach 's setting for organ chorale prelude , BWV 741, raises some problems of dating and authenticity according to Williams (2003) .[ 9] [ 10]
Heinrich Schütz set the chorale as part of the Becker Psalter . Bach used the complete chorale as the base for Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein , BWV 2 , a chorale cantata composed in 1724, but also in others as four-part settings (BWV 77 and BWV 153 ).[ 10] Wilhelm Friedemann Bach set the chorale as a church cantata (Fk 96).[ 11] In 1832, Felix Mendelssohn composed a chorale cantata for baritone, mixed choir and orchestra (MWV A13).
Mozart used the melody in his opera Die Zauberflöte in act 2 , Finale, scene 10, when the two "Geharnischte " (men in armour) recite it in unison on Schikaneder's words "Der, welcher wandert diese Strasse voll Beschwerden " as a cantus firmus of a Baroque-style chorale prelude . Alfred Einstein commented in his biography Mozart / His Character, His Work :
In the second act it is the final test of the lovers, the "'test of fire and water", for which Mozart called into play every musical means at his disposal and for which he ordained extreme simplicity, extreme mastery; the scene of the men in armor, which he constructed in the form of a chorale prelude, building upon a solemn fugato around the chorale Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein ...[ 12]
^ Rathey, Markus (September 2016). "Mozart, Kirnberger, and the idea of musical purity: Revisiting two sketches from 1782" . Eighteenth-Century Music . 13 (2). Cambridge University Press: 235–252. doi :10.1017/S1478570616000063 . ^ Paul Hofreiter (1995). "Johann Sebastian Bach and Scripture / O God, from Heaven Look Down" (PDF) . Concordia Theological Quarterly . 59 (2). Retrieved 5 August 2011 . ^ "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein / Text and Translation of Chorale" . bach-cantatas.com. 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2011 . ^ a b c d "Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein" . bach-cantatas.com. 2006. Retrieved 4 August 2011 . ^ a b c Johannes Zahn (1890). Die Melodien der deutschen evangelischen Kirchenlieder , Vol. III. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann, pp. 70–71 ^ Crist, Stephen A. (March 2007). "Early Lutheran Hymnals and Other Musical Sources in the Kessler Reformation Collection at Emory University". Notes . Second Series. 63 (3): 503–532. JSTOR 4487821 . ^ Julian, John (ed.) A Dictionary of Hymnology: Setting forth the Origin and History of Christian Hymns of all Ages and Nations , Second revised edition, 2 vols., n.p., 1907, reprint, New York: Dover Publications, 1957, 1:322–325 ^ Christopher Brodersen (2011). "Sweelinck, J.P.: Harpsichord Works" . Fanfare. Retrieved 6 August 2011 . ^ Williams, Peter (2003), The Organ Music of J. S. Bach (2nd ed.), Cambridge University Press , pp. 487–488, ISBN 0-521-89115-9 ^ a b "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein" . All of Bach . Netherlands Bach Society. Retrieved 20 April 2018 . ^ Work 09805 at Bach Digital website ^ "Mozart's Magic Flute: Comments and Music Criticism" . Raptus Association for Music Appreciation . Retrieved 6 August 2011 . German
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Media related to Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein at Wikimedia Commons O Lord, look down from heaven CyberHymnal 2011 Look Down, O Lord, From Heaven Behold (also known as O God, from Heaven Look Down or O God, Look Down from Heaven and See) openhymnal.org 2009 BWV 2.6 bach-chorales.com "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein", BWV 2: VI. Choral "Das wollst du, Gott, bewahren rein" on YouTube , Collegium Vocale Gent , Philippe Herreweghe
Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid Ach lieben Christen seid getrost Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr An Wasserflüssen Babylon Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir Befiehl du deine Wege Christe, du Lamm Gottes Christ lag in Todesbanden Christum wir sollen loben schon Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam Christus, der uns selig macht Christus ist erstanden Da der Herr Christ zu Tische saß Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund Der Mond ist aufgegangen Die beste Zeit im Jahr ist mein Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot Du meine Seele singe Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag Es ist das Heil uns kommen her Es ist genug Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl Es woll uns Gott genädig sein Freuet euch der schönen Erde Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ Gelobt sei Gott im höchsten Thron Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn Herr Gott, dich loben wir Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut Herr Jesu Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott Herr, stärke mich, dein Leiden zu bedenken Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr Herzlich tut mich verlangen Herzliebster Jesu Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn Ich singe dir mit Herz und Mund Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier Im Frieden dein, o Herre mein In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt Jesu Leiden, Pein und Tod Jesu, meine Freude Jesu, meines Glaubens Zier Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod überwand Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der von uns den Gotteszorn wandt Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier Lob Gott getrost mit Singen Lobt Gott, ihr Christen alle gleich Macht hoch die Tür Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin Mitten wir im Leben sind Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist Nun danket alle Gott Nun danket all und bringet Ehr Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland Nun lasst uns den Leib begraben Nun lasst uns gehn und treten Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren Nun preiset alle Gottes Barmherzigleit O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht O komm, du Geist der Wahrheit O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele Sie ist mir lieb, die werte Magd Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn Such, wer da will, ein ander Ziel Valet will ich dir geben Vater unser im Himmelreich Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan Was willst du dich betrüben Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen Werde munter, mein Gemüte Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern Wie soll ich dich empfangen Wir glauben all an einen Gott Wir wollen alle fröhlich sein Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält Wo soll ich fliehen hin
Again, Thy Glorious Sun Doth Rise A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth All glory be to God on high All Ye Who on This Earth Do Dwell A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Can you count the stars that brightly Children of the Heavenly Father Christ, by Whose All-saving Light Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord Come, Holy Spirit, From Above Come, See The Place Where Jesus Lay Day by Day Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice Evening and Morning Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee For the Lord reigneth From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Give to the Winds Thy Fears God's Word Is Our Great Heritage Go Forth, My Heart, and Seek Delight How Great Thou Art How Lovely Shines the Morning Star I Am Alone, Your God and Lord If God Had Not Been on Our Side If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee I Into God's Own Heart and Mind In Peace and Joy I Now Depart In the Midst of Earthly Life I Stand Beside Thy Manger Here Jerusalem, Thou City Fair and High Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior Jesus I Will Never Leave Lamb of God, Pure and Holy Land of the Living Lift Up Your Heads Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now Lord Jesus Christ, True Man and God Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart May God Bestow on Us His Grace My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker Not in Anger, Mighty God Now Glad of Heart Be Every One Now Lay We Calmly in the Grave Now Let All Loudly Sing Praise Now Let Us Come With Singing Now Praise We Christ the Holy One Now Thank We All Our God O Christ, Thou Lamb of God O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken O How Shall I Receive Thee O Jesus Christ, All Praise to Thee O Lord, How Many Miseries O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold O Lord, We Praise Thee O Sacred Head, Now Wounded O Sinner, Come Thy Sin to Mourn Our Blessed Savior Spoke Seven Times Our Father, Thou in Heaven Above Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men Rejoice My Heart, Be Glad and Sing Salvation now has come for all Savior of the Nations, Come Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way Sink Not Yet, My Soul, to Slumber Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness The golden sunbeams with their joyous gleams The Happy Christmas Comes Once More The moon has been arising The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess The Only Son from Heaven Thy Way and All Thy Sorrows Today in Triumph Christ Arose To Jordan Came Our Lord Upon the Cross Extended Up, Ye Christians, Join in Singing Wake, Awake, the Night is Flying What God Ordains Is Always Good We All Believe in One True God We now implore God the Holy Ghost We Sing, Immanuel, Thy Praise We Sing Thy Praise, O God We Thank Thee, Jesus, Dearest Friend Who Knows When Death May Overtake Me Why art Thou Thus Cast Down, My Heart? Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me Ye Christians, Pluck Your Courage Up
Hymns and songs based on
psalms Psalm 6 : Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn (Not in Anger, Mighty God) Psalm 12 (11) : Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein (O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold) Psalm 14 (13) : Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl (The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess) Psalm 19 (18) : Dein Lob, Herr, ruft der Himmel aus Psalm 23 (22) : The King of Love My Shepherd Is , The Lord's my Shepherd Psalm 31 (30) : In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr Psalm 36 (35) : Herr, deine Güt ist unbegrenzt Psalm 39 (38) : Lord, let me know mine end Psalm 45 (44) : Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How Lovely Shines the Morning Star) Psalm 46 (45) : A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott) Psalm 67 (66) : Es woll uns Gott genädig sein (May God Bestow on Us His Grace) Psalm 90 (89) : Our God, Our Help in Ages Past Psalm 98 (97) : Nun singt ein neues Lied dem Herren Psalm 100 (99) : All People that on Earth do Dwell – Nun jauchzt dem Herren, alle Welt Psalm 103 (102) : Praise, my soul, the King of heaven Psalm 124 (123) : Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit (If God Had Not Been on Our Side) – Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält Psalm 130 (129) : Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee) Psalm 133 (132) : Hine Ma Tov Psalm 136 (135) : Let us with a gladsome mind Psalm 137 (136) : An Wasserflüssen Babylon (By the rivers of Babylon) Psalm 138 (137) : Mein ganzes Herz erhebet dich Psalm 139 (138) : Herr, dir ist nichts verborgen Psalm 146 (145) : Du meine Seele singe Psalm 149 : Singt dem Herrn ein neues Lied