Johann Sebastian Bach composed the church cantata Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erlösen (Wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me),[1] BWV 48, in Leipzig for the 19th Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 3 October 1723.

The unknown poet saw the soul more in need of rescue than the body, affirmed by a chorale as movement 3, verse 4 of the hymn "Ach Gott und Herr" (1604) attributed to, amongst others, Johann Major and Martin Rutilius [de].

[2] The cantata is structured in seven movements, and scored for alto and tenor soloists, a four-part choir, and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of trumpet, two oboes, two violins, viola, and basso continuo.

It may refer to the words "Herr Jesus Christ, du höchstes Gut", but also creates a connection to the closing chorale, which was sung on the same tune, and therefore may also quote its first verse.

A recitative of the alto, accompanied by the strings, leads to a chorale, concluding the ideas of the first section in expressive harmonization.