Here a reference is made to the feelings of the small group of 7000 oppressed who had not bowed unto Baal, as it stands in the psalms of vengeance (cf. Rev. 6:9) The fanatic anticipation of God's justice and holiness, the hyena-like rage in female voices which call upon the Lord to punish evil - this must be presented with declamatory emphasis. (cf. mothers in the 2nd part of Faust, the curse of Eve from Byron's Cain)
Altos: O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; show thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth; show thyself. Render a reward to the proud. (Ps. 94:1-2)
Children's chorus: O Lord, holy and true. (Rev. 6:10)
Through the children the sinners will see in their mind's eye the lost paradise of innocence and purity of the soul. The voice of conscience speaks very loud.
Altos: How long, O Lord, shall the faithless boast themselves? (Rev. 6:10) They break in pieces thy people. (Ps. 94:5)
Children's chorus: O Lord, holy and true.
Altos: How long dost thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Rev. 6:10)
Altos and children's chorus: O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself. Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. (Ps. 44:22) O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself.
Chorus mysticus: Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all. (Jude 14:15)
The coming of the Judge of All is reflected in Jesus' words: And the Ninevites will break a rod upon the sinful. (cf. scene 5)
Choruses and soloists: Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. (Rev. 4:8) The whole earth is full of his glory. (Isa. 6:3)
Another scene is revealed here: the fanatically piercing voice of Elijah has died away.. A complaint is heard concerning the servants of God's kingdom. The remnant of the faithful is waiting for "help out of Zion", for the coming of the Saviour.
Chorus I: Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (Ps. 12:1)
Chorus II: Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
Choruses: Help, Lord. Oh, that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down. (Isa. 64:1) The godly man ceaseth and the faithful fail from among the children of men. Help, Lord. Oh, that help were come out of Zion. (Ps. 14:7). Oh, that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down.
Chorus II: O Lord, look down from the heavens and spare us. (New Psalter No. 358)
Chorus I: Help, Lord. The faithful fail.
Chorus: Oh God in Heaven, look down upon us and spare us. The faithful fail. We are poor and forsaken. Thy word has been forgotten and the faith has been lost among all the children of men. (New Psalter No. 358)
Chorus: They all from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord. (Isa. 60:6) They shall come weeping and begging.
Soprano: God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. (Ps. 53:2) Every one of them is gone back; they are altogether become filthy. (Ps. 53:3) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Ps. 14:1) Today if ye will bear his voice, harden not your heart. (Ps. 95:7-8)
The chorale motif "O that I Had a Thousand Tongues" ("O, dass ich tausend Zungen hätte") pervades the following aria reminding us of the escape of Jonah and characterizing his gratitude which he himself declares in Nineveh where he is forced to go for the second time.
The aria which must be performed with iron energy and vigour must reveal to the listener the burden and meaning of Jonah's mission in all its heaviness and extent. Jonah does not hesitate or sympathize any more. Enthusiasm lends him wings. At the same time, the prophet who has been punished by the elements, believes in his right which makes him gloatingly predict Nincveh's overthrow.
Jonah: I delight to do thy will, O my God. (Ps. 40:8) I have preached righteousness in the great congregation. (Ps. 40:9) Open my lips, my God, I wilt sing glory unto my God. I have not restrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. (Ps. 40:9) I delight to do thy will, O my God. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation. Open my lips, O God. O Give me a thousand tongues. (New Psalter No. 41)
Forward Scene IV Judgment
Back to the Scene II The Night of Being Forsaken by God