hose of the One hundred and thirtieth Psalm. Its
character is much more entirely individual and personal, and so it has
a depth and intensity of expression which reach the extreme limits of
possibility of representation by music. The arrangement of the poetic
material is most excellent; it does not wholly consist of Scripture
texts and verses of hymns; and in several fit and expressive thoughts,
which are freely interspersed, we can almost recognize Bach's own hand.
If such be the case, the whole arrangement of the poetry may with
reason be ascribed to him."

The introduction to the work is a quiet, tender movement in sonata form,
written for two flutes, two viol-da-gambas and figured bass, which gives
out some of the themes in the middle of the cantata. The opening chorus
("God's own Time is the best, ever best of all. In Him we live, move, and
have our Being, as long as He wills. And in Him we die at His good Time")
is very descriptive in character, opening with a slow and solemn
movement, then passing to a quick fugue, and closing with phrases of
mournful beauty to suit the last sentence of the text. A tenor solo
follows, set to the words, "O Lord, incline us to consider that our Days
are numbered; make us apply our Hearts unto Wisdom," and accompanied by
the flutes, leading into a mournful aria for the bass, which forms the
second part of the tenor solo ("Set in order thine House, for thou shalt
die and not live"). The choir resumes with a new theme ("It is the old
Decree, Man, thou art mortal"), in which the lower voices carry a double
fugue, the soprano sings alone ("Yea, come, Lord Jesus"), and the
instruments have the melody of the old hymn:--

"I have cast all my care on God,
E'en let Him do what seems Him good;
Whether I die, or whether live,
No more I'll strive.
But all my will to Him will give."

Of this effective movement and its successor Spitta says:--

"The design is clear. The curse of death has been changed into blessing
by the coming of Christ, and that which mankind dreaded before, they
now stretch out entreating hands to; the bliss of the new condition of
things shines out in supernatural glory against the dark background of
a dispensation that has been done away. This is the idea of the
concerted vocal parts; and the fact that thousands upon thousands have
agreed in the joy of this faith is shown by the chorale tune now
introduced; for to the under