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Association:
Cantata BWV 18: Mvt. 4: Aria [Soprano]
Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort.
My soul's treasure is God's word.
Außer dem sind alle Schätze solche Netze,
Apart from it all treasures are the sort of nets
Welche Welt und Satan stricken,
That the world and Satan weave
Schnöde Seelen zu berücken.
To ensnare despicable souls.
Fort mit allen, fort, nur fort!
Away with all of them, just away with them!
Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort.
My soul's treasure is God's word.
English translation by Francis Browne (February 2002) |
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Description:
The related image, of the snaring of birds in nets equating to the snare of of wealth, occurs in Jeremiah 5:27 in the OT, and in 1 Timothy 6:9 in the new.
The text from Jeremiah runs:
"For amongst my people are found wicked men; they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they are a trap, they catch men.
As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit; therefore they are become great, and waxen rich."
The connection with the bird image in BWV 18/4 is made through the passage in Jeremiah also dealing with earthly excess and temptation, which links back to the excesses described in the Litany BWV 18/3. |
