This is a solo cantata composed for the Feast of the Visitation of Mary. The prescribed readings for the day were Isaiah 11:1–5, and Luke 1:39–56. The librettist of the work is unknown. The German text of the cantata is a paraphrase of the Magnificat.
An old largely lost source attributes the cantata to Melchior Hoffmann (although seemingly confusing the composer with Johann Georg Hoffmann, an organist in Breslau). Throughout the 19th century the cantata was generally attributed to Bach. Only in the second half of the 20th century was the attribution restored to Melchior Hoffmann again in most sources.
The work in five movements is scored for solo tenor voice, two recorders, oboe, violin, and basso continuo.
