This solo soprano cantata was composed in 1727 or 1728 for an unknown occasion. Although the libretto has religious references, the cantata is classified among Bach’s secular cantatas as it has no direct affiliation with the liturgy.

The text is based on a libretto by Christian Friedrich Hunold (with significant alterations in movements 1, 7 and 8) and revolves around the theme of contentment and resignation to one’s God-dictated personal destiny. The search for riches and glory shows weakness and lacks meaning, and God will reward in Heaven those who are content with what they get.

The libretto is structured in four recitative / aria pairs, with an instrumental and character variety conforming to the text.

The first recitative is secco, followed by an aria with two oboes. The recitative is written in the first person, but from the second movement (and for the rest of the cantata) the self-reference is lost.

For the second pair, the recitative is accompanied by strings, with a touch of word painting on the expression “it will fade like dust”. The aria features an enveloping solo violin line.

The third pair also incorporates word painting using coloraturas in the recitative (“the rays of the sun,” “all the treasures of the earth”) and follows with an aria accompanied by flute, perhaps as an illustration of the concept of “soul.”

The fourth recitative is divided into two parts, beginning as a “secco” and becoming an arioso in the last three stanzas. The aria that closes the cantata uses the full ensemble: strings, flute, and the two oboes.