The first vocal movement is a choral motet on the psalm verse "Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis in meinem Herzen" (I had much trouble in my heart). The music has two contrasting sections, following the contrast of the psalm verse which continues "aber deine Tröstungen erquicken meine Seele" (but your consolations revive my soul).The word "Ich" is repeated several times, followed by a fugal section. A homophonic setting of "aber" (but) leads to the second section, in free polyphony, marked Vivace. It broadens to Andante for a solemn conclusion.