BWV 101 «Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott» (Take from us, Lord, thou faithful God): One of the linguistic expressions available is the combination of a question mark and an exclamation mark. «?!». This combination signals a certain degree of emphasis, but also helplessness, perhaps even hopelessness. Part of the cantata BWV 101 «Nimm von uns Herr, du treuer Gott» (Take from us, Lord, thou faithful God) deals with this theme. Yes, what then? The ‘heavy punishment and great distress’. The chorale on which the cantata is based was written at the time of the great plague epidemics in Europe. Bach transformed it into a large-scale, very poignant lament with great authenticity and, no doubt, under the impression of personal catastrophes in his family environment.