Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 647 - J. S. Bach

This lovely chorale comes from the collection known as the Schübler Chorales, named for Johann Georg Schübler who published this collection in 1747. Most of these preludes are transcribed from movements of Bach’s famous church cantatas. This particular movement is a duet between soprano and alto in which the voices sing the contrapuntal material above the basso continuo while the violins and violas play the chorale melody. This was played on the magnificent organ of Trinity Lutheran Church of Springfield, IL. Many thanks to ‪@HMueller_Organ‬ for assisting me with this recording session. +SDG+ Text: 1. If thou but suffer God to guide thee And hope in Him thro' all thy ways, He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee, And bear thee thro' the evil days. Who trusts in God's unchanging love Builds on the Rock that naught can move. 2. What can these anxious cares avail thee, These never-ceasing moans and sighs? What can it help if thou bewail thee O'er each dark moment as it flies? Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness. 3. Be patient and await His leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure And His discerning love hath sent, Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own. 4. God knows full well when times of gladness Shall be the needful thing for thee. When He has tried thy soul with sadness And from all guile has found thee free, He comes to thee all unaware And makes thee own His loving care. 5. Nor think amid the fiery trial That God hath cast thee off unheard, That he whose hopes meet no denial Must surely be of God preferred. Time passes and much change doth bring And sets a bound to everything. 6. All are alike before the Highest; 'Tis easy to our God, we know, To raise thee up, though low thou liest, To make the rich man poor and low. True wonders still by Him are wrought Who setteth up and brings to naught. 7. Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving, Perform thy duties faithfully, And trust His Word, though undeserving, Thou yet shalt find it true for thee. God never yet forsook at need The soul that trusted Him indeed.