Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Danket dem Herrn, denn er ist sehr freundlich
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 218; GH 452
Author: Johann Horn (Nürnberg, 1544), based on Psalm 136
Chorale Melody: Danket dem Herrn, denn er ist sehr freundlich (Zahn 12) | Composer: found in the tenor Vitam quae faciunt and Vivamus mea Lesba by Ludwig Senfl (1534)
Theme: After Meal

Description:

“Danket dem Herrn, denn er ist sehr freundlich” (Thank the Lord, for he is good, Psalm 107) is an After Meal hymn by Johann Horn (Jan Roh, 1487-1547; sometimes attributed to Michael Weisse) to the associated melody (Nürnberg 1544), found in the tenor Vitam quae faciunt and Vivamus mea Lesba by Ludwig Senfl (1534) (Zahn 12), text in six 8-line stanzas, from a Thanks to God song in Ein Gesangbuch der Brüder inn Behemen und Merherrn (Nürnberg 1544), based on Psalm 136. It is found in the NLGB as No. 218, in the Orgelbüchlein, No. 154 (from Gotha-Witt Hymnbook No. 452), and in the Telemann 1730 chorale book, No. 164, Christian Life, and No. 235, ?Prayer of Thanksgiving. Bach set it as a plain chorale, BWV 286.
Source: Blessing & Thanks Hymns as Chorales at Meals; Tafelmusik (William Hoffman, Dec 21, 2017)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Danket dem Herren, BWV 286
Ref: RE 228; Br 228; KE 53; AmB 46II p.198; Penzel 170; BGA 33; BC F183.1; CST 57

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Danket dem Herren, denn er ist sehr freundlich;
Denn seine Güt und Wahrheit bleibet ewiglich.

1. Praise God, ye people, for His love is boundless,
His truth is constant, steadfast, and is limitless.

2. Der als ein barmherziger, gütiger Gott
Uns dürftige Kreaturen gespeiset hat.

2. He our Creator, bountiful to all men,
Rich blessings show'reth e'er upon us every one.

3. Singet ihm aus Herzensgrund mit Innigkeit:
Nun Lob und Dank sei dir, Vater in Ewigkeit.

3. Sing then, ye people, sing with heart and fervour,
And praise the Father, Son, and Spirit evermore!

4. Der du uns als ein reicher, milder Vater
Speisest und kleidest deine elenden Kinder.

4. He as a Father all His children feedeth,
He clotheth and man's every need He satisfieth.

5. Verleih, dass wir dich recht lernen erkennen,
Und nach dir, o ewigem Schöpfer, uns sehnen.

5. Grant then, O Father, that we rightly know Thee,
And Thee our Saviour, throned in heaven gloriously;

6. Durch Jesum Christum, dein allerliebsten Sohn,
Welcher unser Mittler ist nun vor deinem Thron.

6. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son and most belovéd,
Our Mediator now in heaven worshipped.

Source of German Text: Bach Digital (6 verses) | Hymnary.org (8 verses)
English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry | Source of English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry: The Four-Part Chorals of J.S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 1929), p 58
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018), William Hoffman (December 2017)