Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein

Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein (Oh God, look down from Heaven) is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. In Wolfgang Schmieder's catalogue of Bach's works, it is BWV 2.

It was written in Leipzig for the second Sunday after Trinity, and was first performed on 18 June 1724. It is based on a chorale of the same name by Martin Luther.

The piece is written for two oboes, four trombones, strings (violins, violas and basso continuo), vocal soloists and choir. It is in six movements, in D minor unless otherwise noted:

Chorus: "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein" - an extensive fugal treatment of the chorale tune in soprano, tenor, and bass voices, with the alto voices singing the chorale unadorned in long notes.
Recitative: "Sie lehren eitel falsche List" ("They teach vain, false cunning") - for tenor and continuo.
Aria: "Tilg, o Gott, die Lehren" ("Destroy, o God, the doctrines") - an alto aria with obliggato violin (B-flat major).
Recitative and arioso: "Die Armen sind verstört" ("The poor are troubled") - for bass, strings, and continuo (G minor).
Aria: "Durchs Feuer wird das Silber rein" ("Silver is made pure through fire") - for tenor with accompaniment from oboes and strings (G minor).
Chorale: "Das wollst du, Gott, bewahren rein" ("This, God, you would preserve pure") - the last verse of the chorale, sung and played by the whole ensemble.