Johann Sebastian Bach composed the church cantata Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Now come, Savior of the heathens),[1] BWV 62, in Leipzig for the first Sunday in Advent and first performed it on 3 December 1724.

The cantata is scored for four vocal soloists, a four-part choir, and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of horn only to support the chorale melody, two oboes, strings and basso continuo.

[7] While Luther, influenced by the Latin model, phrased succinctly and sometimes in allusions, Bach's collaborator in Leipzig texted often freely and with poetic ambition.

This can be traced back both to qualities inherent in the chorale tune itself, and to the central place Bach gives to Luther's words.

[7] Dürr suggested that Bach was inspired to this festive setting in 6/4 time by the Gospel reading about the entry into Jerusalem.

[1] Set in a major key in Siciliano rhythm, with string accompaniment doubled in tutti-sections by the oboes, it was described by Dürr as "joyfully soaring".

[13] A secco recitative for bass expresses: "So geht aus Gottes Herrlichkeit und Thron sein eingeborner Sohn" (Thus from God's glory and throne goes forth his only-begotten Son).

[9] The duet recitative of the high voices, "Wir ehren diese Herrlichkeit und nahen nun zu deiner Krippen" (We honor this glory and approach your manger now),[1] expresses thanks, intimately accompanied by the strings.

[8] The closing chorale of the cantata is a doxology, "Lob sei Gott, dem Vater, g'ton" (Praise be to God the Father),[1] in a four-part setting.