Composed for the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity, which fell on October 29, 1724, Bach's Cantata No. 38 "Auf tiefer Not schrie ich zu dir" (Out of deepest need I cry unto You) (BWV 38) takes as its basis a chorale in the Phrygian mode by Martin Luther from 1524 for the first, fourth, and sixth movements with the second, third, and fifth movements based on poetic elaborations of Luther's theme by an unknown poet. The subject of "Auf tiefer Not schrie ich zu dir" is the unfailingly popular Lutheran notion that humanity is sinful and only through the intercession of the Lord can one hope for salvation. The cantata is scored for alto, tenor, soprano and bass soloists, chorus, a pair of oboes, strings, basso continuo, and a quartet of trombones in the outer movements. The cantata is in E Phrygian with its first, second, and sixth movements in the tonic, its third movement in A minor, its fourth in D major, and its fifth in D minor. The first movement is a monumental fugal setting of Luther's choral with the full orchestra doubling the chorus. The second is an anguished secco recitative for alto soloist and continuo. The third is an elaborate aria for tenor, piquant oboes, and continuo. The fourth is a very dry secco recitative for soprano and continuo. The fifth is a darkly lyrical terzetto for soprano and alto and tenor soloists with continuo. "Auf tiefer Not scheri ich zu dir" ends with a harmonization of Luther's chorale for the entire chorus once again doubled by the whole orchestra.

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