Denn wir haben hie keine bleibende Statt

Johannes Brahms' composition, "Denn wir haben hie keine bleibende Statt," is a profound exploration of spiritual themes, drawing heavily from biblical texts. The title, which translates to "For here we have no lasting city," sets the tone for a meditation on the transient nature of earthly life and the search for a future, eternal home. This sentiment is rooted in Hebrews 13:14, emphasizing the Christian belief in a life beyond the physical world, where the faithful seek a heavenly abode.

The lyrics then transition to a passage from 1 Corinthians 15, which speaks of a divine mystery: the transformation of the living and the dead at the sound of the last trumpet. This passage is rich with eschatological imagery, describing the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of the living into an incorruptible state. The triumphant declaration, "Death is swallowed up in victory," underscores the Christian belief in the ultimate defeat of death and the promise of eternal life. The rhetorical questions, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" further emphasize the triumph over mortality through divine intervention.

The final verse, taken from Revelation 4:11, shifts the focus to a doxology, praising God for His omnipotence and the act of creation. This passage highlights the worthiness of God to receive glory, honor, and power, acknowledging that all things exist by His will. Brahms' choice of these texts reflects a deep reverence for the divine and a contemplation of the eternal, offering listeners a sense of hope and spiritual upliftment through the power of sacred music.