Lately I’ve wondered why I no longer relate to or even desire to listen to certain music that I actually happen to appreciate (I’m referring especially to the music of my generation)? The instrumentals are well done, the voices are gravelly or soulful and the lyrics reflect raw human emotions, questions, longing, angst. Yes, I have felt all those feelings. But I can no longer relate to the music. Mainly due to the fact that the songwriters and/or musicians are STILL searching for something. I cannot relate because I have found hope and I lay hold on that hope. Sure, I still have longing, I still have heartache, I still grieve, (“but not like the rest of mankind who have no hope” I Thessalonians 4:13). I do still enjoy a variety of secular music, but I relate to music such as “It is well with my Soul” and other hymns. Also, the great classical hymns by such composers as Handel and Bach. Below is a cantata by J.S. Bach called Sleepers Awake. The music is lofty, but read those lyrics!!
BWV 140 Cantata: “Awake, calls the voice to us”.
1. CHORUS Awake, calls the voice to us of the watchmen high up in the tower; awake, you city of Jerusalem. Midnight the hour is named; they call to us with bright voices; where are you, wise virgins? Indeed, the Bridegroom comes; rise up and take your lamps, Alleluia! Make yourselves ready for the wedding, you must go to meet Him.
2. RECITATIVE T He comes, He comes, the Bridegroom comes, O Zion’s daughters, come out, his course runs from the heights into your mother’s house. The Bridegroom comes, who like a roe and young stag leaps upon the hills; to you He brings the wedding feast. Rise up, take heart, to embrace the bridegroom; there, look, He comes this way.
3. AIR – Duet S B) Soul: When will You come, my Savior? Jesus: I come, as Your portion. Soul: I wait with burning oil. Now open the hall or the heavenly meal. Jesus: I open the hall for the heavenly meal. Soul: Come, Jesus! Jesus: I come, come, lovely soul!
4. CHORALE T Zion hears the watchmen sing, her heart leaps for joy within her, she wakens and hastily arises. Her glorious Friend comes from heaven, strong in mercy, powerful in truth, her light becomes bright, her star rises. Now come, precious crown, Lord Jesus, the Son of God! Hosannah! We all follow to the hall of joy and hold the evening meal together.
5. RECITATIVE B So come in to Me, you My chosen bride! I have to you eternally betrothed Myself. I will set you upon My heart, upon My arm as a seal, and delight your troubled eye. Forget, O soul, now the fear, the pain which you have had to suffer; upon My left hand you shall rest, and My right hand shall kiss you.
6. AIR – Duet S B Soul My Friend is mine. Jesus: And I am yours. Both: Love will never part us. Soul: I will with You. Jesus: You will with Me. Both: Graze among heaven’s roses, where complete pleasure and delight will be.
7. CHORALE Let Gloria be sung to You with mortal and angelic tongues, with harps and even with cymbals. Of twelve pearls the portals are made, In Your city we are companions Of the angels high around Your throne. No eye has ever perceived, no ear has ever heard such joy as our happiness, Io, io, eternally in dulci jubilo!
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