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

Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein                                                                                         Ah God, from heaven look on us
Und lass dich's doch erbarmen!                                                                                              And grant us yet thy mercy!
Wie wenig sind der Heilgen dein,                                                                                             How few are found thy saints to be,
Verlassen sind wir Armen;                                                                                                      Forsaken are we wretches;
Dein Wort man nicht lässt haben wahr,                                                                                   Thy word is not upheld as true,
Der Glaub ist auch verloschen gar                                                                                           And faith is also now quite dead 
Bei allen Menschenkindern.                                                                                                    Among all mankind's children.

2. Recit. (T)

 

Sie lehren eitel falsche List,                                                                                                   They teach a vain and false deceit,(1) 
Was wider Gott und seine Wahrheit ist;                                                                                   Which is to God and all his truth opposed;
Und was der eigen Witz erdenket,                                                                                           And what the willful mind conceiveth,
- O Jammer! der die Kirche schmerzlich kränket -                                                                 - O sorrow which the church so sorely vexeth - 
Das muss anstatt der Bibel stehn.                                                                                           That must usurp the Bible's place.
Der eine wählet dies, der andre das,                                                                                       The one now chooseth this, the other that, 
Die törichte Vernunft ist ihr Kompass;                                                                                   And reason's foolishness is their full scope. 
Sie gleichen denen Totengräbern                                                                                           They are just like the tombs of dead men,
Die, ob sie zwar von außen schön,                                                                                          Which, though they may be outward fair, 
Nur Stank und Moder in sich fassen                                                                                       Mere stench and mould contain within them
Und lauter Unflat sehen lassen.
And all uncleanness show when opened.(2)

3. Aria (A)

 

Tilg, o Gott, die Lehren,                                                                                                             God, blot out all teachings 
So dein Wort verkehren!                                                                                                           Which thy word pervert now!

    Wehre doch der Ketzerei                                                                                                       Check, indeed, all heresy
    Und allen Rottengeistern;
    And all the rabble spirits;
    Denn sie sprechen ohne Scheu:                                                                                              For they speak out free of dread
    Trotz dem, der uns will meistern!                                                                                          Gainst him who seeks to rule us!


              4. Recit. (B)

               

              Die Armen sind verstört,                                                                                                        The wretched are confused,(3) 
              Ihr seufzend Ach, ihr ängstlich Klagen                                                                                   Their sighing "Ah," their anxious mourning 
              Bei soviel Kreuz und Not,                                                                                                       Amidst such cross and woe,
              Wodurch die Feinde fromme Seelen plagen,                                                                           Through which the foe to godly souls deal torture, 
              Dringt in das Gnadenohr des Allerhöchsten ein.                                                                     Doth now the gracious ear of God Almighty reach.
              Darum spricht Gott: Ich muss ihr Helfer sein!                                                                         To this saith God: I must their helper be! 
              Ich hab ihr Flehn erhört,                                                                                                        I have their weeping heard,
              Der Hilfe Morgenrot,                                                                                                                Salvation's rosy morn, 
              Der reinen Wahrheit heller Sonnenschein                                                                              The purest truth's own radiant sunshine bright 
              Soll sie mit neuer Kraft,                                                                                                          Shall them with newfound strength, 
              Die Trost und Leben schafft,
              The source of life and hope, 
              Erquicken und erfreun.                                                                                                          Refreshen and make glad.
              Ich will mich ihrer Not erbarmen,                                                                                           I will take pity on their suff'ring, 
              Mein heilsam Wort soll sein die Kraft der Armen.                                                                   My healing word shall strength be to the wretched.

              5. Aria (T)

               

              Durchs Feuer wird das Silber rein,
              The fire doth make the silver pure, 
              Durchs Kreuz das Wort bewährt erfunden.                                                                            The cross the word's great truth revealeth.

                Drum soll ein Christ zu allen Stunden                                                                                Therefore a Christian must unceasing
                Im Kreuz und Not geduldig sein.                                                                                       His cross and woe with patience bear.

                                                                                                                                                                   6. Chorale [Verse 6] (S, A, T, B)

                     

                    Das wollst du, Gott, bewahren rein                                                                                         That(4) wouldst thou, God, untainted keep
                    Für diesem arg'n Geschlechte;                                                                                                Before this wicked people;
                    Und lass uns dir befohlen sein,
                    And us into thy care commend,
                    Dass sichs in uns nicht flechte.                                                                                                Lest it in us be twisted.
                    Der gottlos Hauf sich umher findt,
                    The godless crowd doth us surround,
                    Wo solche lose Leute sind                                                                                                       In whom such wanton people are 
                    In deinem Volk erhaben.
                    Within thy folk exalted.

                    Second Sunday after Trinity.                                                                                                       Poet unknown.                                                                                                                          1. Martin Luther, verse 1 of the hymn, based on Ps. 12, 1524 (Wackernagel, III, #3); 2-5. based on verses 2-5; 6. verse 6 of the hymn.                                                                                            18 June 1724, Leipzig.                                                                                                               BG 1; NBA I/16.

                    1. This line is verbatim from the hymn.
                    2. Cf. Mt. 23:27.
                    3. This line is verbatim from the hymn.
                    4. I.e., the "word."

                    © Z. Philip Ambrose, English translation, Web publication: http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach