This is the most famous melody of the Passion (same as 'O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden'), but here in a harmonization that radiates trust. Against the unfair trial, the congregation places its trust in God who controls everything.
Before Pilate
Befiehl du deine Wege
Chorale
•Congregation
|
No. 47part_52
Commit thy ways,
And what grieves thy heart,
To the most faithful care
Of Him who directs the heavens.
He who gives clouds, air, and winds
Their path, course, and track,
He will also find ways
Where thy foot can go.
German
English
Befiehl du deine Wege
Und was dein Herze kränkt
Der allertreusten Pflege
Des, der den Himmel lenkt.
Der Wolken, Luft und Winden
Gibt Wege, Lauf und Bahn,
Der wird auch Wege finden,
Da dein Fuß gehen kann.
Commit thy ways,
And what grieves thy heart,
To the most faithful care
Of Him who directs the heavens.
He who gives clouds, air, and winds
Their path, course, and track,
He will also find ways
Where thy foot can go.
Modern adaptation
Entrust your path and your pain to God. He who directs the clouds and winds will also find a way for you.
Did you know?
This melody (originally a love song by Hans Leo Hassler) appears five times in the St Matthew Passion. This is the first time in Part 2.