Buxtehude uses the first three verses of the chorale Herlzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr, by Martin Schalling as a source for both text and music in this cantata. The work is scored for two sopranos, alto, tenor, bass, two violins, two violas, violone or bassoon, and continuo. The first verse of the chorale is sung by the soprano alone, accompanied by the five-part string ensemble, creating a chorale prelude of sorts for soprano and strings. The polyphonic web which Buxtehude creates to surround the chorale melody in the soprano functions and looks just like the accompanying polyphonic textures in his organ chorale preludes. The second verse of the chorale is scored for all five voices and strings, and frequently borrows little snippets of the chorale melody to be used in imitation in all five voices. Buxtehude also alternates frequently between duple and triple meter while setting this verse of the chorale. For the last verse of the chorale Buxtehude alternates small duos and trios with the full ensemble. The work concludes with an extended polyphonic Amen. While the work sets only three verses of the chorale, Buxtehude's expansive work imitation treatment creates a fairly long cantata, around 20 minutes in duration.

© Andrus Madsen, All Music Guide