The Son Sets You Free

Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost (A)
Feast of the Reformation

The Children of Abraham

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

John 8:31-36

EIN FESTE BURG IST UNSER GOTT
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Complete Cantata (BWV 80)

Performers : Barbara Schlick (Soprano), Gérard Lesne (Countertenor), Howard Crook (Tenor), Peter Kooy (Bass)
Director : Philippe Herreweghe

PART I
1. Choral : Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
2. Aria : Alles, was von Gott geboren



1. Chorus [Verse 1] (S, A, T, B)

A mighty fortress is our God,
A sure defense and armor;
He helps us free from ev'ry need
Which us till now hath stricken.
The ancient wicked foe,
Grim is his intent,
Vast might and deceit
His cruel weapons are,
On earth is not his equal.

2. Aria (B) and Chorale [Verse 2] (S)

(B)
All that which of God is fathered
Is for victory intended.

(S)
With our own might is nothing done,
We face so soon destruction.
He strives for us, the righteous man,
Whom God himself hath chosen.

(B)
Who hath Christ's own bloodstained flag
In baptism sworn allegiance
Wins in spirit ever more.

(S)
Ask thou who he is?
His name: Jesus Christ,
The Lord of Sabaoth,
There is no other god,
The field is his forever.

(B)
All that which of God is fathered
Is for victory intended.


PART II
3. Recitativo : Erwäge doch
4. Aria : Komm in mein Herzenshaus
5. Choral : Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel wär



3. Recit. (B)

Consider well, O child of God, this love so mighty,
Which Jesus hath
In his own blood for thee now written;
By which he thee
For war opposing Satan's host, opposing world and error,
Enlisted thee!
Yield not within thy spirit
To Satan and his viciousness!
Let not thy heart,
Which is on earth God's heav'nly kingdom,
Become a wasteland!
Confess thy guilt with grief and pain,
That Christ's own soul to thine be firm united!

4. Aria (S)

Come in my heart's abode,
Lord Jesus, my desiring!

Drive world and Satan out,
And let thine image find in me new glory!
Hence, prideful cloud of sin!

5. Chorale [Verse 3] (S, A, T, B)

And were the world with devils filled,
Intending to devour us,
Our fear e'en yet would be not great,
For we shall win the vict'ry.
The prince of this world,
How grim may he be,
Worketh us no ill,
That is, he is destroyed.
One little word can fell him.


PART III
6. Recitativo : So stehe dann
7. Duetto : Wie selig sind doch die
8. Choral : Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn



6. Recit. (T)

So stand then under Christ's own bloodstained flag and banner,
O spirit, firm,
And trust that this thy head betrays thee not,
His victory
E'en thee the way to gain thy crown prepareth!
March gladly on to war!
If thou but God's own word
Obey as well as hearken,
Then shall the foe be forced to leave the battle;
Thy Savior is thy shield.

7. Aria (A, T)

How blessed though are those who God hold in their voices,
More blessed still the heart which him in faith doth hold!
Unconquered it abides, can deal the foe destruction,
And shall at last be crowned when it shall death defeat.

8. Chorale [Verse 4] (S, A, T, B)

That word they must allow to stand,
No thanks to all their efforts.
He is with us by his own plan,
With his own gifts and Spirit.
Our body let them take,
Wealth, rank, child and wife,
Let them all be lost,
And still they cannot win;
His realm is ours forever.