J.S. Bach’s Sunday Cantata: Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Johann Sebastian Bach (aged 61) in a portrait by Elias Gottlob Haussmann, second version of his 1746 canvas. Bach is holding a copy of the six-part canon BWV 1076.
Johann Sebastian Bach composed weekly cantatas to accompany the Sundays and feast days of the Historic Lectionary—a cycle of Scripture readings used by Christians for centuries. This lectionary shaped the worship life of the Western Church, including Roman Catholics until the reforms of Vatican II, and remains in use today among many Lutheran congregations, including our own here at St. Thomas.
These cantatas are not merely concerts—they are sermons in music. Each one beautifully unites Scripture, sacred poetry, and hymnody, often incorporating chorales that are still sung in our services today. Bach’s music proclaims the Word of God with emotional depth and theological clarity, offering both comfort and exhortation to the faithful.
The English translation and textual notes for this week’s cantata are drawn from bach-cantatas.com. We pray that the Word of Christ, communicated through this sacred music, strengthens your faith and prepares your heart to hear God’s Word preached this Fifth Sunday after Trinity, July 20, 2025!
Readings for the First Sunday after Trinity
Introit - Psalm 27:1a, 11–12, 14; antiphon: vv. 7, 9b
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
O you who have been my help,
forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
O you who have been my help,
forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
Collect of the Day
O God, You have prepared for those who love You good things that surpass all understanding. Pour into our hearts such love toward You that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Old Testament - 1 Kings 19:11–21
11[The Lord] said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
19So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
Gradual - Psalm 84:9, 8
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
Epistle - 1 Peter 3:8–15
8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
Verse - Psalm 21:1
Alleluia. O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! Alleluia.
Gospel - Luke 5:1–11
1On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on [Jesus] to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Performance Recording
BWV 21 - English Translation
See, I will send out many fishermen,
says the Lord, who shall fish them.
And afterwards I shall send out hunters
who shall hunt them on all the hills
and mountains and in all the stony cracks. (Jeremiah 16:16)How easily can the Almighty dispense with us
and turn his grace from us
if our perverse mind sinfully separates itself from him and with an obdurate spirit
races to its ruin.
But what does
his faithful father's spirit?
With his kindness does he go away
from us just as we do from him
and does he abandon us to the deceit and malice of our enemies? (Romans 1:21–28; Isaiah 30:1–3; Hosea 11:8–9)No, God is always concerned
to know that we're on the good way
beneath the light of his grace.
Indeed when we have strayed
and abandoned the right way he would certainly have search made for us. (Luke 15:4–7; Psalm 23:3; Isaiah 30:21)Tenor:
Jesus said to Simon:
Bass:
Don't be afraid ; from now on you will catch of men. (Luke 5:10)If God himself arranges, then must blessings
on all our actions
pour down abundantly
even if fear and anxiety confront us. (Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 90:17)
The pound that he gave to us
he wants to receive back with interest;
if we don't simply bury it,
then he helps us willingly so that it may bear fruit. (Luke 19:11–27; Matthew 25:14–30)What can make you afraid in your wandering
if, my heart , God himself stretches out his hand to you?
With this simple gesture misfortune vanishes
and he can mightily protect and guard you. (Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 121:7–8)
If troubles, burdens, envy, torment and falsehood should come
and strive to disturb and hinder what you do,
let short misery not lessen your resolve. (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 5:3–5; 1 Peter 4:12–13)
The work that he has ordained will not be too difficult for any one;
at all times go forward joyfully , in the end you will see
that what in the past tormented you happened for your benefit! (Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28)Sing, pray and go on God's way,
Perform your part only faithfully
and trust in the rich blessing of heaven,
then he will be with you once more;
For who places his confidence
in God, he does not abandon. (Psalm 37:5; Philippians 4:6–7; Hebrews 13:5)
(transl. Francis Browne)
Hymns We Still Sing
Lutheran Service Book 750, “If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee”
If thou but trust in God to guide thee
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the rock that naught can move.What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee
O’er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.Be patient and await His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate’er thy Father’s pleasure
And His discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.God knows full well when times of gladness
Shall be the needful thing for thee.
When He has tried thy soul with sadness
And from all guile has found thee free,
He comes to thee all unaware
And makes thee own His loving care.Nor think amid the fiery trial
That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred.
Time passes and much change doth bring
And sets a bound to ev’rything.All are alike before the Highest;
’Tis easy for our God, we know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low.
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
Perform thy duties faithfully,
And trust His Word; though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook in need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.
Text: Public domain
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