"Weeping, lamentation, worry, apprehension" (John 16:20). Jesus turns our sorrow into joy.

"Hear, O shepherd of Israel" (Psalm 80:1). A meditation on Jesus as the Good Shepherd of His flock, who will feed and tend them.

"On the evening of the same Sabbath" (John 20:19). Jesus is in the midst of His children, and and he is their shield against temptation. [Translation of the libretto]

"Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands". Written when Bach was only 22, this is one of his finest cantatas. It sets the words of Luther’s great Easter hymn, celebrating Jesus’ victory over death.

"King of heaven, be welcome". As Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and was welcomed by His disciples, so Christians are called to welcome Jesus in faith.

"Come, sweet hour of death". The soul’s eager longing to be finally united with Jesus—an encounter that makes the hour of death itself a sweet hour.

"I will not let go of you unless you bless me" (Genesis 32:26). A funeral cantata, entrusting oneself to Jesus, as the only trustworthy comfort.

"God’s time is always the best time". One of Bach’s best-known and most beautiful vocal works, this funeral cantata sets a collection of funeral sentences, which remind us of our mortality and call us to place our trust in God’s promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul". Bach’s very first cantata, a setting of Psalm 25.

"Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord". A penitential cantata, setting Psalm 130.