»Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit«

The title and first line of Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata »Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste
Zeit« (BWV 106) remained enigmatic for a long time. The present essay examines, firstly,
whether and to what extent Bach can be considered the author of this line. Recent findings
allow for its derivation from 17th-century devotional literature. Secondly, this essay explores
the biblical concept of »God's time« in an exegetical-theological dialogue with texts
from the Old and New Testaments. Thirdly, »God's time« is highlighted as a topos of the
Baroque ars moriendi. Finally, an innovative, text-segmented presentation of the libretto
of cantata BWV 106 is presented in the appendix.