Although most of its texts were drawn from the Hebrew and Christian Bibles, this cantata was composed specifically for a secular occasion. This was the February 4, 1708 inauguration of the newly chosen city council of Mülhausen, where Bach then was working. It is one of the most clearly documented of all Bach's early cantatas; not only does the original manuscript in Bach's own hand survive, but the council thought so well of it that they bore the cost of having it printed and published. It is the only one of Bach's cantata's that was published in the composer's lifetime and survived to our time.

Since it was composed for a festive occasion, it is elaborately scored. Vocal forces are an alto and a bass, with four-part chorus. The orchestra is deployed in four "choirs": (1) three trumpets and percussion; (2) two violins, viola, and violone; (3) two oboes and bassoon; and (4) two recorders and cello, all in addition to organ continuo. In one section there is a written out organ obbligato part.

Bach clearly modeled this important civic commission on similar works that had been created by Dietrich Buxtehude in Lübeck for similar events. The Biblical texts are apportioned to two different sections. There is also a chorale, " Gott, du frommer Gott," by Heerman (1630). Nevertheless, this is ultimately a secular work since it includes an oath to the Emperor and lines in praise of the new government.

The town fathers were so happy with the work that they not only published it, but commissioned Bach to write another for the next year and also published that. Unfortunately all copies, even the printed ones, disappeared without a trace.

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