The bass provides a theological explanation for the suffering in Gethsemane. The descending lines in the music (at 'fällt' and 'nieder') depict Jesus' fall, which paradoxically leads to the elevation ('erhebt', rising line) of humanity. It is a mirroring: his humiliation is our salvation.
Gethsemane
Der Heiland fällt vor seinem Vater nieder
Recitative
•Bass
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No. 23part_26
The Savior falls down before his Father,
Thereby he raises me and all
From our fall
Up to God's grace again.
He is ready
To drink the cup, the bitterness of death,
In which the sins of this world
Are poured and stink foully,
Because it pleases dear God.
German
English
Der Heiland fällt vor seinem Vater nieder,
Dadurch erhebt er mich und alle
Von unserm Falle
Hinauf zu Gottes Gnade wieder.
Er ist bereit,
Den Kelch, des Todes Bitterkeit zu trinken,
In welchen Sünden dieser Welt
Gegossen sind und häßlich stinken,
Weil es dem lieben Gott gefällt.
The Savior falls down before his Father,
Thereby he raises me and all
From our fall
Up to God's grace again.
He is ready
To drink the cup, the bitterness of death,
In which the sins of this world
Are poured and stink foully,
Because it pleases dear God.
Modern adaptation
The Savior falls down before his Father. By doing so, he lifts us all from our fall back up to God's grace. He is ready to drink the bitter cup of death, filled with the sins of the world, because God wills it.
Did you know?
Bach uses 'Katabasis' (descending notes) here to depict Jesus falling, immediately followed by 'Anabasis' (ascending notes) at the text 'erhebt er mich' (he raises me).