Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86

Bach structured the cantata in six movements, beginning with a biblical quotation for the vox Christi, Jesus speaking. An aria is followed by a chorale for the soprano, a set of recitative and aria, and the closing chorale, the only movement for choir. Bach scored the work for three vocal soloists (alto, tenor, bass), a four-part choir and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of two oboes d'amore (Oa), two violins (Vl), viola (Va) and basso continuo.[5]

In the following table of the movements, the scoring follows the Neue Bach-Ausgabe.[5] The keys and time signatures are taken from Alfred Dürr, using the symbol for common time (4/4).[3] The continuo, playing throughout, is not shown.

Movements of Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch

No.	Title	Text	Type	Vocal	Oboe	Strings	Key	Time
1	Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch	John 16:23	Aria	B		2Vl Va	E major
2	Ich will doch wohl Rosen brechen	anon.	Aria	A		Vl	A major	3/4
3	Und was der ewig gütig Gott	Grünwald	Chorale	S	2Oa		F-sharp minor
4	Gott macht es nicht gleichwie die Welt	anon.	Recitative	T
5	Gott hilft gewiß	anon.	Aria	T		2Vl Va	E major
6	Die Hoffnung wart' der rechten Zeit	Speratus	Chorale	SATB	(2Oa)	(2Vl Va)

The gospel quotation, "Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, so ihr den Vater etwas bitten werdet in meinem Namen, so wird er's euch geben. " (Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My name, so will it be given to you.),[1] is given to the bass as the vox Christi, the voice of Jesus.[6][7] The instruments, strings probably doubled by oboe d'amore, introduce vocal motifs which the voice picks up. The bass sings the text three times, while the instruments continue playing the same motifs.[3] Julian Mincham observes: "The richness of the text, the unobtrusive nature of the melodic ideas and the gently flowing rhythms combine to create an appropriate atmosphere of dignified restraint".[8]

In the alto aria, "Ich will doch wohl Rosen brechen" (I will yet indeed pluck roses),[1] the voice is accompanied by the strings and a violin obbligato in virtuoso figuration, which may illustrate the heavenly light promised as the final fulfillment.[8] John Eliot Gardiner, who conducted the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage in 2000, interprets the solo violin's motif as an image of plucking a rose, who notes that the solo violin is silent when fulfillment is reached ("For He has pledged His word").[9]

In the chorale, "Und was der ewig gültig Gott in seinem Wort versprochen hat" (And whatever the eternally merciful God has promised with His word),[1] the unadorned cantus firmus in the soprano is embedded in a trio of the two oboes d'amore and the continuo.[2] Gardiner notes that the oboes' music may illustrate the "stratospheric circling of the angelic host" which the hymn text refers to.[8]

In a short tenor recitative for tenor, "Gott macht es nicht gleichwie die Welt, die viel verspricht und wenig hält" (God does not do as the world does, that promises much and upholds little),[1] the musicologist Julian Mincham notes "a moment of harsh severity in the melody at the mention of the world′s failings".[8]

In the tenor aria, "Gott hilft gewiß; wird gleich die Hilfe aufgeschoben" (God helps indeed; even if that help is delayed),[1] a motif on the first line is introduced by the violin, repeated by the voice, and repeated several times.[8]

The closing chorale, "Die Hoffnung wart' der rechten Zeit" (Hope awaits the right time),[1] is set for four parts.[3]