Ach, Herr, straf mich nicht (Psalm 6), SWV 24
Staff Notation • Sacred, Motets
2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Ach, Herr, straf mich nicht (Psalm 6), SWV 24 by Heinrich Schütz — Lyrics
About Ach, Herr, straf mich nicht (Psalm 6), SWV 24
Heinrich Schütz’s Ach, Herr, straf mich nicht sets Psalm 6, a plea for divine mercy in the face of suffering and perceived divine anger. The text begins in Latin, expressing deep personal anguish and a desperate need for healing and salvation, before transitioning into German. The composer employs a double SATB choir, creating a rich and varied sound world. This allows for intricate polyphonic textures as well as moments of powerful homophonic declamation. The two choirs are often used antiphonally, enhancing the dramatic dialogue between the supplicant and God. Schütz masterfully portrays the text’s profound emotional arc, from lamentation to a fervent appeal for deliverance.