“Jesu, meine Freude” BWV 227 (“Jesus, my Joy”)
An Easter Offering Shared by Johanna Suffern
The motet “Jesu, meine Freude” (Jesus, my Joy) by J.S. Bach has been a long favorite of mine, but this recent performance reminded me of its relevance to our present time. Bach is supposed to have composed it on the occasion of a funeral, but it speaks of both the present and eternal rest and protection we have in Christ.
I suggest following along with the translation below; otherwise, it's just baroque music, which is fine, but the words are what lend life and meaning to the music.
For example, the ensemble contrasts the articulation of "though there now be thunder and lightning, though sin and hell terrify” with “Jesus will protect me" in the 3rd movement. In the 5th movement, the music paints “the jaws of death” with an enormous descending octave leap, and you can hear the rumbling of “rage” in the lower voices. In movement 8, there is a deliberate quickening and turn to the major mode on "but the Spirit is life." In the closing chorale, after considering the scope of pains and difficulties that the motet explores, it culminates with one final declaration of the confidence we have when our hope is in Christ: "you stay with me even in my suffering, Jesus, my Joy." I hope you will find encouragement and hope in this motet.
