The date of composition of the cantata Lobe den Herren, meine Seele can only be conjectured. However, several indications suggest an early composition, possibly during Kuhnau’s stay in Zittau. The work is one of only two known cantatas by Kuhnau in which cornetti are scored – the second work is the cantata Christ lag in Todes-Banden (PB 32034) –, even so in combination with three trombones as an early baroque wind section. In addition, the musical texture of the introductory “Sonata” can certainly be understood as a reminiscence of the polychorality known from the Renaissance and early Baroque as well as their connection with the basso continuo era, since four strings and bassoon on the one side and five wind instruments on the other side face each other over a continuous continuo part.

The text of the cantata is a selection of a few verses from Psalm 103. This is the larger scored cantata with this textual basis; parallel to it exists a smaller scored one for alto, bass, violin, oboe d’amore and continuo.

Cantata based on Psalm 103
Urtext edited by David Erler
Duration: 15'

Content:
1a. Sonata
1b. Lobe den Herren, meine Seele
2. Der dir alle deine Sünde vergibet
3. Der dein Leben vom Verderben erlöset
4. Genädig und barmherzig ist der Herr
5. Er wird nicht immerdar hadern noch ewiglich Zorn halten
6. Er handelt nicht mit uns nach unsern Sünden