Cantata BWV 170: “Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust”

Composer: BACH, Johann Sebastian
  • Written in Leipzig in 1726, Bach’s Cantata BWV 170 is a church cantata for alto soloist. The cantata is also commonly known by the title of the first aria, “Vergnügte Ruh’, beliebte Seelenlust” (Contented Rest, Beloved Inner Joy).
  • Five movements:
    1. Aria: Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust (Contented rest, beloved inner joy)
    2. Recitativo: Die Welt, das Sündenhaus (The world, that house of sin)
    3. Aria: Wie jammern mich doch die verkehrten Herzen (What sorrow fills me for these hearts so wayward)
    4. Recitativo: Wer sollte sich demnach wohl hier zu leben wünschen (Who should therefore desire to live in this existence)
    5. Aria: Mir ekelt mehr zu leben (I’m sick and tired of living)1
  • The theme of the cantata’s initial aria is peace and contentment:

“Contented peace, beloved delight of the soul, you cannot be found among the sins of hell, but only where there is heavenly harmony.”

From the aria’s text2

Sources

  1. “Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170 (Bach, Johann Sebastian),” IMSLP, accessed October 22, 2025, https://imslp.org/wiki/Vergn%C3%BCgte_Ruh,_beliebte_Seelenlust,_BWV_170_(Bach,_Johann_Sebastian).
  2. Francis Browne, “Cantata BWV 170 Vergnügte Ruh’, beliebte Seelenlust English Translation in Interlinear Format,” Bach Cantatas Website (2007), accessed July 15, 2019, https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/BWV170-Eng3.htm.

Cut IDs

10579