Gib dich zufrieden und sei stille

Gib dich zufrieden und sei stille

BWV 512 performed by Daniel Johannsen and Matthias Havinga
Walburgiskerk, Zutphen

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Now be contented

Bach probably wrote this hymn as a source of private solace

Lutherans have no saints in the sense or function of the Roman Catholic Church. If nonetheless asked to single out unique heralds of faith and piety through the centuries, Paul Gerhardt would definitely be among them. Next to Martin Luther, no other religious poet has to this day remained as prominent in Protestant hymnals (and even in Catholic ones). If only because of the gem Befiehl du deine Wege.

Gib dich zufrieden may not be Gerhardt’s most famous hymn, yet all fifteen original verses from 1666 are still included in the current German Evangelisches Gesangbuch, to the melody by his contemporary Jakob Hintze. Bach used a modified version of this tune for BWV 460, but the text – clearly very dear to him – probably also inspired the master to compose his own melody of grave and solemn beauty, which he entered into the (second) Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach.

Bach seems to have drawn particular solace from this strongly encouraging poem in his Hausandacht (his personal devotion). He may have considered it less suitable for liturgical use, since he never incorporated any of its verses into his cantatas. By 1725, when this melody seems to have been composed, Bach had already lost three children. Knowing that Gerhardt also had to bury four of his five children must have created a strong bond between the eighteenth-century choirmaster and the seventeenth-century pastor – a comforting connection across time and place.

BWV
512
Title
Gib dich zufrieden und sei stille
Instrument
tenor
Genre
songs and arias
Serie
Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach
Lyricist
Paul Gerhardt
Special notes
Melody by Jakob Hintze

Extra videos

Vocal texts

Original

1.
Gib dich zufrieden und sei stille
in dem Gotte deines Lebens,
in ihm ruht aller Freuden Fülle,
ohn ihn mühst du dich vergebens;
er ist dein Quell
und deine Sonne,
scheint täglich hell
zu deiner Wonne.
Gib dich zufrieden.

5.
Er hört die Seufzer deiner Seelen
und des Herzens stille Klagen,
und was du keinem darfst erzählen,
magst du Gott gar kühnlich sagen;
er ist nicht fern,
steht in der Mitten,
hört bald und gern
der Armen Bitten.
Gib dich zufrieden.

9.
Sprich nicht: Ich sehe keine Mittel,
wo ich such, ist nichts zum besten,
denn das ist Gottes Ehrentitel,
helfen, wenn* die Not am größten.
Wann ich und du
ihn nicht mehr spüren,
so schickt er zu,
uns wohl zu führen
Gib dich zufrieden.

14.
Es ist ein Ruhetag verhanden,
da uns unser Gott wird lösen,
er wird uns reißen aus den Banden
dieses Leibs und allem Bösen.
Es wird einmal
der Tod herspringen
und aus der Qual
uns sämtlich bringen
Gib dich zufrieden

Translation

1.
Now be contented and seek stillness
in God, who daily renews us.
In him we find our joy in fullness;
without him, all plans are useless.
He is your spring
and sun that’s shining,
daily he brings joy
to your living.
So be contented.

5.
He hears the soul when it is moaning
He hears the heart’s own silent cries,
and all the things you dare tell no-one
you can show boldly to God’s eyes;
He is not far,
He stands here, ready,
Is keen to hear
our prayers so needy.
So be contented.

9.
Don’t say: “I see no path to wander,
all ways I search seem misleading,”
for this is just where God is honored
to help in times of great needing.
When you and I
no longer sense him,
that’s just when he
best redirects us.
So be contented.

14.
A day of rest has been won for us,
God to us will be revealing,
for he will free us from all burdens
of this life and all its evils.
Once and for all
Death shall be conquered
and from all ills
bring us safe homeward.
So be contented.

translation © Ruth van Baak Griffioen, 2025

Credits

  • Release date
    25 September 2025
  • Recording date
    29 May 2024
  • Location
    Walburgiskerk, Zutphen
  • Tenor
    Daniel Johannsen
  • Organ
    Matthias Havinga
  • Instrument
    Henrick Bader, 1639/1643
  • Director and editor
    Gijs Besseling
  • Music recording
    Guido Tichelman, Pim van der Lee
  • Music edit and mix
    Guido Tichelman
  • Camera
    Danny Noordanus, Manon Hoskens, Remco van Leest
  • Grip
    Wouter Visser
  • Assistant music recording
    Marloes Biermans
  • Producer
    Lisanne Marlou de Kok

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