PSC Brahms Program - Portland Symphonic choir

Translations
Johann Sebastian Bach
Cantata BWV 51
Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen
Aria S (tromba, violino I/II, viola, continuo)
Shout for joy to God in every land! All
the creatures contained in heaven and
earth must exalt his glory, and to our God we
would now likewise bring an offering, since
in affliction and distress at all times he has
stood by us.
Recitative S (violino I/II, viola, continuo)
We pray at the temple where God’s honour
dwells, where his faithfulness that is
renewed every day rewards us with unmixed
blessing. We praise what he has done for
us. Even if our weak mouths have to babble
about his wonders, yet imperfect praise can
still please him.
Aria S (continuo)
Most High God, make your goodness new
every morning from now on. Then to your
fatherly love a thankful spirit in us through a
devout life, will show that we are called your
children.
Chorale S (violino I/II, continuo)
May there be praise and glory and
honour for God the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit! May it be his will to increase in
us what he promises us through his grace, so
that we firmly trust in him, rely completely
on him, from our hearts build on him, so that
our heart, spirit and mind depend steadfastly
on him. About this we now sing: Amen, we
shall achieve this, if we believe from the
bottom of our hearts.
Aria S (tromba, violino I/II,
viola, continuo)
Alleluja!
Translation by Francis Browne (June 2008)
Johannes Brahms
A German Requiem
Ein deutches Requiem, op.45
Chorus: Blessed are they that mourn
Matthew 5:4; Psalm 126:5–6
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
They that go forth and weep, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with
them.
Chorus: For all flesh is as grass
1Peter 1:24; James 5:7, 8a; 1Peter 1:25;
Isaiah 35:10
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of
man as the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower thereof
falleth away.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the
coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the
precious fruit of the earth, and has long
patience for it, until he receive the morning
and evening rain.
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with songs and everlasting
joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy
and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall
flee away.
Baritone Solo and Chorus: Lord, make me to
know mine end
Psalm 39:4–7; Wisdom 3:1
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the
measure of my days, what it is: that I may
know how frail I am.
Behold, thou hast made my days as an
handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing
before thee.
Surely every man walks in a vain show:
surely they are disquieted in vain: they heap
up riches, and knows not who shall gather
them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for?
My hope is in thee.
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of
God and there shall no torment touch them.
Chorus: How lovely are thy tabernacles
Psalm 84:1, 2, 4
How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of
hosts!
My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts
of the Lord: my heart and my flesh cries out
for the living God.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they
will always be praising thee.
Chorus and Baritone Solo: And ye now
therefore have sorrow
John 16:22; Isaiah 66:13; Ecclesiates 51:35
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will
see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and
your joy no man taketh from you.
Behold with your eyes, how that I have but
little labor, and have gotten unto me much rest.
As one whom his mother comforts, so will I
comfort you.
Chorus and Baritone Solo: For we have no
continuing city
Hebrews 13:14; 1Corinthians 15:51, 52, 54,
55; Revelation 4:11
For here have we no continuing city, but we
seek one to come.
Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not
all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a
moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that
is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?
Thou art worthy, o Lord, to receive glory and
honor and power: for thou hast created all
things, and for thy pleasure they exist and
were created.
Chorus: Blessed are the dead
Revelation 14:13
Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord,
from henceforth. Yea, says the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labors; and their
works do follow them.
The English translation is largely the King James
Version, slightly adapted by Philip Legge.