It is the first Sunday in Lent. The title of today’s cantata is “Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält: (Where God the Lord stands with us not):

Today’s Gospel reading is Mark 1:9-15, and describes Jesus’s 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan:

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus Announces the Good News

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The text of today’s cantata is available here, and contains these words:

Where God the Lord does not dwell with us,
when our enemies rage,
and He does not conclude our affairs
high above there in heaven,
where He is not the Guardian of Israel
and thwarts Himself the deceit of the enemy,
then all is lost for us.

. . . .

The enemies are all in Your hand,
together with all their thoughts;
their attacks are known to You, Lord,
help only that we do not waver.
Reason sets itself against faith,
and will not trust in the future,
when You Yourself will comfort.

Heaven and also the earth
are established by You, Lord God;
let Your light become bright for us,
and our heart be ignited
into the proper love of Your faith,
constant to the end.
Let the world ever grumble.

Happy listening! Soli Deo gloria.