Johann Sebastian Bach wrote more than 200 Cantata's and Ich elender Mensch is one of the many he wrote for churches. This can be proven because of the many aspects of the Cantata which I have identified as follows. It follows a typical format, alternating movements for choir and orchestra with recitatives and arias. The recitatives provide examples of the two common forms, recitativo accompagnato, in which strings provide a continuous bed of sound as support for the voice, and recitativo secco, in which single chords from the continuo organ or harpsichord and cello provide the accompaniment. ...
here have a strong religious meaning.

The fourth and final movement is the Aria. This is a solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment, as in an opera. Melodically, the oboe and alto parts are interactive ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ each relies on the other in a dance-like duet. This is quite typical of Bach's aria writing. Here there is a key change to Eb key, and there is also a strict 3/8 time signature. The cello and Organ or Harpsichord provide accompaniment to the solo Oboe. The whole piece then repeats from the very beginning.