O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß (Strophe 23: Fughetta)

A setting of the final strophe of Sebald Heyden's monumental Passion text from 1530. The Chorale is in the pedal as the Tenor voice (so no 16' allowed). The hands play the Hauptwerk plenum with 16'. This is the final part of a Chorale Partita in which all 23 verses will be set.

(written 23./25.Feb.2019)

Melodie: Matthias Greitter, 1525
Text: Sebald Heyden, 1530

23. Christus für uns litt grosse Pein,
Drum lasset uns ihm dankbar sein,
Nach seinem Willen leben.
Weil uns sein Wort so helle scheint,
Lasset uns sein der Sünde feind
Und täglich danach streben;
Die Lieb’ erzeigen jedermann;
Wie Christus an uns hat getan
Mit seinem Leiden, Sterben.
O Menschenkind, betracht das recht,
Wie Gottes Zorn die Sünde schlägt:
Tu dich davor bewahren!

==============
(English translation)

23. Christ suffered great pain for us,
therefore let us be thankful,
and live according to his will.
Because his word so brightly shines,
let us be enemies of Sin
and strive each day;
to show Love to everyone
as Christ has done for us
with his suffering and death.
O human race, consider what is right,
how the wrath of God strikes at Sin:
protect yourself from it!