This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe, SWV 321
Staff Notation • Sacred, Motets
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Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe, SWV 321 by Heinrich Schütz — Lyrics
Psalmus Asaph. Quam bonus Israël Deus, his qui recto sunt corde!
Mei autem pene moti sunt pedes, pene effusi sunt gressus mei:
quia zelavi super iniquos, pacem peccatorum videns.
Quia non est respectus morti eorum, et firmamentum in plaga eorum.
In labore hominum non sunt, et cum hominibus non flagellabuntur.
Ideo tenuit eos superbia; operti sunt iniquitate et impietate sua.
Prodiit quasi ex adipe iniquitas eorum; transierunt in affectum cordis.
Cogitaverunt et locuti sunt nequitiam; iniquitatem in excelso locuti sunt.
Posuerunt in caelum os suum, et lingua eorum transivit in terra.
Ideo convertetur populus meus hic, et dies pleni invenientur in eis.
Et dixerunt: Quomodo scit Deus, et si est scientia in excelso?
Ecce ipsi peccatores, et abundantes in saeculo obtinuerunt divitias.
Et dixi: Ergo sine causa justificavi cor meum, et lavi inter innocentes manus meas,
eEt fui flagellatus tota die, et castigatio mea in matutinis.
Si dicebam: Narrabo sic;
ecce nationem filiorum tuorum reprobavi.
Existimabam ut cognoscerem hoc; labor est ante me:
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About Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe, SWV 321
This motet by Heinrich Schütz is ideal for services during the penitential seasons. Setting a text from Psalm 73, it begins by exploring the psalmist’s despair at the prosperity of the wicked, his envy and near-stumbling in the face of injustice. Schütz’s sensitive setting for solo soprano, alto, and tenor voices brings out the personal struggle of the text, capturing the anguish and doubt expressed. The contrapuntal interplay between the voices reflects the internal conflict, making this a profound and moving musical meditation on faith and hardship. It offers a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for a small vocal ensemble.
