Motet notes - Schütz

The first of two settings of this text by Schütz, "Ich weiß, daß mein Erlöser lebet" was probably composed before 1628.  Taken from the Old Testament Book of Job, the poetic text shows the height of Job's faith at the time of God's total desertion.  This text was spoken by Schütz’ wife before her death and was mentioned in her funeral sermon of 1625. The motet is characterized by the affirmative and perfect intervals of fourths and fifths in imitation on the words ‘Ich weiß’ (‘I know’), the ascending figure on ‘auferwecken’ (‘rise up’) and hopeful triple meter section.