As I mentioned last week, this Advent season I’m running a series of the text (libretto) to Messiah by George Frederic Handel. You’ll find below the biblical text (King James Version, of course) used in Part 1, whose theme is “The prophecy and realization of God’s plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah”, broken up by musical section according to the 1959 Novello edition. The link after each passage will take you to the appropriate location in a video of a live performance at the Sydney Opera House. Each of these passages is well worth the time to carefully read through and listen/watch; however, if you’re short on time, the sections from Isaiah 40:1-4, Isaiah 60:2-3, Isaiah 9:2, and Zechariah 9 are my favorites from a musicality standpoint.
Overture – 1:30
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” – Isaiah 40:1-3 – 4:25
“Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:” – Isaiah 40:4 – 7:10
“And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” – Isaiah 40:5 – 10:13
“For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.” – Haggai 2:6-7.
“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 3:1 – 12:36
“But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:” – Malachi 3:2 – 14:00
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” – Malachi 3:3 – 14:30
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” – Matthew 1:23 – 16:50
“O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” – Isaiah 40:9
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” – Isaiah 60:1 – 17:16
“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” – Isaiah 60:2-3 – 21:38
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” – Isaiah 9:2 – 23:43
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 – 26:21
(Pife – Pastorale) – 30:05
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” – Luke 2:8 – 31:11
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” – Luke 2:9 – 31:25
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11 – 31:44
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,” – Luke 2:13 – 32:18
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peach, good will toward men.” – Luke 2:14 – 32:35
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.” – Zechariah 9:9-10 – 34:21
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall wateres break out, and streams in the desert.” – Isaiah 35:5-6 – 38:23
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” – Isaiah 40:11
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29 – 39:07
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:30 – 43:33
I believe that this is one of the most beautiful and meaningful symphonys’ even done. I particularly appreciate the way you have listed the scripture and the reference to each section. Thank you for blessing us with your sharing of Gods work through music.