Sleepers Wake
BWV 140
Wachet auf, uns die Stimme
(NBA 1/27; BC A166)
27. S. after Trinity (BWV 140 only) During Bach’s tenure in Leipzig (1723-1750), a 27th Sunday after Trinity occurred only in 1731 and 1742.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (Last day will come like a thief in the night; exhortation to be ready)
Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom)
Chorale: Tenor (Vs. 2) Bride (Zion) rejoices over bridegroom’s arrival (140-4)
Zion hort die Wachter singen, Mt. 25:6-7. At midnight there was a cry, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps… Zion hears the watchmen sing, Mt. 25:13. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Das Herz tut ihr vor Freuden springen, Ps. 130:6. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. (Her) heart does – for joy leap, (Her heart leaps for joy,) S. of S. 3:6-7, 9-11. What is that coming up from the wilderness, like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the fragrant powders of the merchant? Behold, it is the litter of Solomon! About it are sixty men of the mighty men of Israel… King Solomon made himself a palanquin from the wood of Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple; it was lovingly wrought within by She keeps-watch and rises quickly – the daughters of Jerusalem. Go forth, O daughters of Jerusalem. Go forth, O daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon, with the crown with (She has been keeping watch and rises quickly.) which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart.
Ihr Freund kommt vom Himmel prachtig, Her friend comes from heaven glorious, Von Gnaden stark, von Warheit machtig, Ps. 104:1… O Lord my God, thou art very great! Thou art clothed with honor and majesty. (Also Ps. 93:1) In grace strong, in truth mighty, (Strong in grace, mighty in truth,) Jn. 1:14. The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, full of grace and truth (Luther: Gnade und Wahrheit); we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. Is. 60:1,3. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you… And nations shall come to your light, and kings Her light becomes bright; her star rises to the brightness of your rising.
Nun komm, du werte Kron, Is. 28:5. In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people. Now come, thou precious crown, Herr Jesu, Gottes Son! 2 Tim. 4:8. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord… will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but Lord Jesus, God’s Son! also to all who have loved his appearing.
Hosianna! Mt. 24:44. …Be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Hosanna! Mt. 25:10. …The bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut (Ps. 45:15)
Lk. 22:17-18. And [Jesus] took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that
We follow all from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Zum Freudensaal
To joys-hall
Und halten mit das Abendmahl. And hold-together the evening-meal. Rev. 19:9. …Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper
(Luther: Abendmahl) of the Lamb…
