× Board & Staff Make a Donation Giving Support Education Upcoming Events Past Events
Home Board & Staff Make a Donation Giving Support Education Upcoming Events
Messiah, an Oratorio, HWV 56
George Frideric Handel

Messiah, an Oratorio, HWV 56
George Frideric Handel
(b. March 5, 1685 in Halle, Brandenburg-Prussia; d. April 14, 1759 in Westminster, England)

Handel wrote out Messiah in a brief 24 days, seemingly a superhuman effort, but Handel was known for working quickly. The real miracle was the inspired libretto provided by Charles Jennens, a wealthy man of leisure with no particular public career. He was however highly literate in both music and Bible and laid out a selection of verses that cover the liturgical year divided into three large parts. Jennens titled Part I, “The prophecy and realisation of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah.” It begins with Isaiah foretelling Jesus's coming, continues through Advent and Christmas, and ends with the life and ministry of Jesus. Part II covers the seasons of Lent, Easter, the Ascension, and Pentecost. Jennens described the section this way: “The accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of Christ, mankind's rejection of God's offer, and mankind's utter defeat when trying to oppose the power of the Almighty.” Part III, says Jennens, is “A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the final overthrow of Death,” with the final words from Revelation at the end of time.

Here is how Jennens broke each part into scenes. As is the case with almost every performance, everywhere, from the beginning, Messiah is rarely performed in its entirety. The CSO is performing the numbers shown in bold type.

Part I
Scene 1: Isaiah's prophecy of salvation
Sinfonia (overture, instrumental)
Comfort ye my people (tenor)
Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (air for tenor)
And the glory of the Lord (anthem chorus)
Scene 2: The coming judgment
Thus saith the Lord of hosts (accompanied recitative for bass)
But who may abide the day of His coming (soprano, alto or bass)
And he shall purify the sons of Levi (chorus)
Scene 3: The prophecy of Christ's birth
Behold, a virgin shall conceive (alto)
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (air for alto and chorus)
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (bass)
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (bass)
For unto us a child is born (duet chorus)
Scene 4: The annunciation to the shepherds
Pifa ("pastoral symphony": instrumental)
(a) There were shepherds abiding in the fields (secco recitative for soprano)
(b) And lo, the angel of the Lord (accompanied recitative for soprano)
And the angel said unto them (secco recitative for soprano)
And suddenly there was with the angel (accompanied recitative for soprano)
Glory to God in the highest (chorus)
Scene 5: Christ's healing and redemption
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano)
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened (secco recitative for soprano or alto)
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd (alto and/or soprano)
His yoke is easy (duet chorus)

Part II
Scene 1: Christ's Passion
Behold the Lamb of God (chorus)
He was despised and rejected of men (alto)
Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (chorus)
And with his stripes we are healèd (fugue chorus)
All we like sheep have gone astray (duet chorus)
All they that see him laugh him to scorn (secco recitative for tenor)
He trusted in God that he would deliver him (fugue chorus)
Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (tenor or soprano)
Behold and see if there be any sorrow (tenor or soprano)
Scene 2: Christ's Death and Resurrection
He was cut off (tenor or soprano)
But thou didst not leave his soul in hell (tenor or soprano)
Scene 3: Christ's Ascension
Lift up your heads, O ye gates (chorus)
Scene 4: Christ's reception in Heaven
Unto which of the angels (tenor)
Let all the angels of God worship Him (chorus)
Scene 5: The beginnings of Gospel preaching
Thou art gone up on high (soprano, alto, or bass)
The Lord gave the word (chorus)
How beautiful are the feet (soprano, alto, or chorus)
Their sound is gone out (tenor or chorus)"
Scene 6: The world's rejection of the Gospel
Why do the nations so furiously rage together (bass)
Let us break their bonds asunder (chorus)
He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor)
Scene 7: God's ultimate victory
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (tenor)
Hallelujah (anthem and fugue chorus)

Part III
Scene 1: The promise of eternal life
I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano)
Since by man came death (chorus)
Scene 2: The Day of Judgment
Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass)
The trumpet shall sound (bass)
Scene 3: The final conquest of sin
Then shall be brought to pass (alto)
O death, where is thy sting? (alto and tenor)
But thanks be to God (chorus)
If God be for us, who can be against us? (soprano)
Scene 4: The acclamation of the Messiah
Worthy is the Lamb (anthem and fugue chorus)
Amen (anthem and fugue chorus)

The music is not relating a plot in any specific sense, but the progression of recitatives, arias, and choruses is masterfully moving the narrative forward. Handel also is adept at word painting. The best-known example is from “Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted” with the words “the crookèd straight, and the rough places plain" where the melody vividly illustrates the words. For "crookèd," the notes move in a winding, uneven pattern, while "plain" is rendered in a smooth, straightforward melodic line.

Listen for two more examples in the CSO’s selections:

- "All We Like Sheep" - The line "have gone astray" features wandering, unpredictable melodic phrases to represent the concept of straying from the path. This is followed by a return to a more disciplined melody, symbolizing redemption.

- "The Trumpet Shall Sound" - The vocal line imitates the triumphant, bold sound of a trumpet, embodying the power and clarity of the instrument mentioned in the text.

Is Messiah the most enduringly famous musical work in the Western Canon? It is much easier to argue for than against the premise. Consider:

- Its long-term popularity began with the premiere in 1742 and has been sustained across the centuries since.

- It was already performed regularly in Handel’s lifetime. It had a hugely successful premiere in Dublin with many follow-up performances that were also well received. London audiences did not embrace it with as much enthusiasm initially but were won over soon enough.

- Handel busily prepared alternate versions of many numbers responding to the needs of new soloists, instrumental forces, and venues available.

- The array of arrangements made after Handel’s death for larger ensembles and for more modern (aka classical and Romantic harmonies) shows the pervasive and enduring interest throughout Europe.

- In modern times, many, many ensembles now schedule annual performances, your CSO being just one of them. The total number of performances annually is in the thousands.

- The tradition of DIY Messiah is everywhere. People bring their own vocal scores and sing with orchestras great and small, or just organ, or piano, or any available ensemble. This Christmas season over 125 such events are taking place in the United States and more will be available around Easter time.

- Fans of any genre of music can probably bring to mind the strains of the Hallelujah Chorus.

- It has become foundational for Christian teaching as churches draw regularly on numbers from Messiah to complement the scriptural lessons of the day.

There are too many interesting and unexpected details about Messiah, too many to list. In fact every such detail undergirds its fame. Let’s start with one that invariably surprises concertgoers attending Messiah for the first time. The audience will all stand, as they are able, when the Hallelujah Chorus begins. Why?

Why indeed! Legend has it that King George II stood up during (after?) its performance. No contemporaneous accounts record that he did stand up, so the authenticity of the story is doubtful. If he did, three principal reasons seem possible:


1) Emotional Impact

The guileless interpretation is that George II was simply moved by the music's grandeur and its powerful proclamation of “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

2) A Religious Gesture

The Hallelujah Chorus proclaims the glory of Christ’s reign, drawing from Revelation 19:6, 11:15, and 19:16. Some speculate that the king, as the head of the Church of England, might have risen out of reverence for the divine message, akin to standing for a monarch.

3) Protocol or Confusion

It may be cynical, but it’s possible that he thought the performance had concluded. As standing was customary at the end of a royal event, the suddenness of the moment might have prompted the audience to follow suit, creating the tradition.

Because Handel directed that proceeds from early performances go to charity, it hastened the growth of its popularity. Beginning with the Dublin premiere it supported several charities, including Mercer’s Hospital and a debtor’s prison. In London Handel developed a close relationship with the Foundling Hospital, an institution caring for abandoned children. Starting in 1750, he performed Messiah annually to raise funds for the hospital. These performances not only brought financial support amounting to thousands of pounds in his lifetime but also elevated the hospital’s profile within society. Handel’s reputation suffered from indifferent reception of some of his operas but his philanthropy helped rehabilitate his public image and made manifest his commitment to moral causes.

Messiah has organically found its way to all the English-speaking world. Mozart was responsible for boosting its popularity in Austria and Germany. His K572 from 1789 was the same music reworked and reorchestrated to cater to Viennese preferences and ensemble resources. Today Mozart’s version is rarely performed because it is not in the same league as the original but it served its purpose.

Given that Messiah spans the entire church liturgical year, why do we associate it so strongly with Christmas? It debuted at Easter and received more performances at that time of year until Victorian times. When it was first performed in a theatre in London many were scandalized that sacred music was presented in a secular space. Nevertheless such venues are more associated with festive times and Christmas performances became the norm.

In the Bible Messiah is a word that is exceedingly rare. It comes from Hebrew Mashiach meaning anointed one, akin to Greek Christos, the anointed. The choice for the title was probably to emphasize the prophecy of the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible, that God would send them a savior. It provided a bridge between Jewish and Christian traditions and helped avoid doctrinal or denominational labels.

On the subject of doctrine, the Apostles’ Creed, the oldest creed commonly used in Christian churches, contains the line, “He [Christ] descended into Hell,” before “he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.” Methodist churches who still sometimes use the Apostles’ Creed have consigned the “He descended into Hell” phrase to a footnote and do not normally use it in worship. The controversy over the phrase accounts for “But thou didst not leave his soul in hell” (Part II Scene 2) being regularly omitted.

One more tidbit about something you will not hear. (Almost certainly!) On the final page of the Hallelujah Chorus the word Hallelujah is sung to the same tune four times in rapid succession, ended by two beats of complete silence. No one has attended very many amateur or do-it-yourself performances and escaped hearing some hapless participant sing out in the silence an extra repetition. Oops. If you sing the chorus yourself someday, you have been warned!

Jennens created what he called a Word Book that was reproduced in the program for the first Dublin performance. It contains all the biblical texts he used with their chapter and verse. A version is reproduced here.

Messiah Part I

Isaiah 40:1–3 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. 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 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.

Isaiah 40:5 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.

Haggai 2:6–7 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; yet once, a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations; and the Desire of All Nations shall come.

Malachi 3:1 The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire.

Malachi 3:3 And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel. “God with us.”

Isaiah 40:9 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength: lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 9:6 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.

Luke 2:8 There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

Luke 2:9 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 2:10–11 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 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.

Zechariah 9:9–10 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee! He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.

Isaiah 35:5–6 Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.

Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Matthew 11:28–29 Come unto Him, all ye that labor, come unto Him ye that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:30 His yoke is easy, and His burthen is light.

Messiah Part II

John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.

Isaiah 50:6 He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.

Isaiah 53:4–5 Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.

Isaiah 53:5 And with His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Psalm 22:7 All they that see Him, laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:

Psalm 22:8 He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him.

Psalm 69:20 Thy rebuke hath broken His heart; He is full of heaviness; He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man, neither found He any to comfort Him.

Lamentations 1:12 Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.

Isaiah 53:8 He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of Thy people was He stricken.

Psalm 16:10 But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell, nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.

Psalm 24:7–10 Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.

Hebrews 1:5 Unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?

Hebrews 1:6 Let all the angels of God worship Him.

Psalm 68:18 Thou art gone up on high, Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even for Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word; great was the company of the preachers.

Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Romans 10:18; Psalm 19:4 Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Psalm 2:1–2 Why do the nations so furiously rage together? and why do the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His anointed.

Psalm 2:3 Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.

Psalm 2:4 He that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Revelation 19:6 Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Revelation 11:15 The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.

Revelation 19:16 King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Messiah Part III

Job 19:25–26 I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.

And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

I Corinthians 15:20 For now is Christ risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep.

I Corinthians 15:21–22 Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

I Corinthians 15:51–52 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

I Corinthians 15:52–53 The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality.

I Corinthians 15:54 Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

I Corinthians 15:55–56 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:31 If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:33–34 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again. Who is at the right hand of God, Who makes intercession for us.

Revelation 5:12–14 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honor, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

(c) 2024 by Steven Hollingsworth,
Creative Commons Public Attribution 3.0
United States License.
Contact steve@trecorde.net



Messiah, an Oratorio, HWV 56
George Frideric Handel

Messiah, an Oratorio, HWV 56
George Frideric Handel
(b. March 5, 1685 in Halle, Brandenburg-Prussia; d. April 14, 1759 in Westminster, England)

Handel wrote out Messiah in a brief 24 days, seemingly a superhuman effort, but Handel was known for working quickly. The real miracle was the inspired libretto provided by Charles Jennens, a wealthy man of leisure with no particular public career. He was however highly literate in both music and Bible and laid out a selection of verses that cover the liturgical year divided into three large parts. Jennens titled Part I, “The prophecy and realisation of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah.” It begins with Isaiah foretelling Jesus's coming, continues through Advent and Christmas, and ends with the life and ministry of Jesus. Part II covers the seasons of Lent, Easter, the Ascension, and Pentecost. Jennens described the section this way: “The accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of Christ, mankind's rejection of God's offer, and mankind's utter defeat when trying to oppose the power of the Almighty.” Part III, says Jennens, is “A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the final overthrow of Death,” with the final words from Revelation at the end of time.

Here is how Jennens broke each part into scenes. As is the case with almost every performance, everywhere, from the beginning, Messiah is rarely performed in its entirety. The CSO is performing the numbers shown in bold type.

Part I
Scene 1: Isaiah's prophecy of salvation
Sinfonia (overture, instrumental)
Comfort ye my people (tenor)
Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (air for tenor)
And the glory of the Lord (anthem chorus)
Scene 2: The coming judgment
Thus saith the Lord of hosts (accompanied recitative for bass)
But who may abide the day of His coming (soprano, alto or bass)
And he shall purify the sons of Levi (chorus)
Scene 3: The prophecy of Christ's birth
Behold, a virgin shall conceive (alto)
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (air for alto and chorus)
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (bass)
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (bass)
For unto us a child is born (duet chorus)
Scene 4: The annunciation to the shepherds
Pifa ("pastoral symphony": instrumental)
(a) There were shepherds abiding in the fields (secco recitative for soprano)
(b) And lo, the angel of the Lord (accompanied recitative for soprano)
And the angel said unto them (secco recitative for soprano)
And suddenly there was with the angel (accompanied recitative for soprano)
Glory to God in the highest (chorus)
Scene 5: Christ's healing and redemption
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano)
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened (secco recitative for soprano or alto)
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd (alto and/or soprano)
His yoke is easy (duet chorus)

Part II
Scene 1: Christ's Passion
Behold the Lamb of God (chorus)
He was despised and rejected of men (alto)
Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (chorus)
And with his stripes we are healèd (fugue chorus)
All we like sheep have gone astray (duet chorus)
All they that see him laugh him to scorn (secco recitative for tenor)
He trusted in God that he would deliver him (fugue chorus)
Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (tenor or soprano)
Behold and see if there be any sorrow (tenor or soprano)
Scene 2: Christ's Death and Resurrection
He was cut off (tenor or soprano)
But thou didst not leave his soul in hell (tenor or soprano)
Scene 3: Christ's Ascension
Lift up your heads, O ye gates (chorus)
Scene 4: Christ's reception in Heaven
Unto which of the angels (tenor)
Let all the angels of God worship Him (chorus)
Scene 5: The beginnings of Gospel preaching
Thou art gone up on high (soprano, alto, or bass)
The Lord gave the word (chorus)
How beautiful are the feet (soprano, alto, or chorus)
Their sound is gone out (tenor or chorus)"
Scene 6: The world's rejection of the Gospel
Why do the nations so furiously rage together (bass)
Let us break their bonds asunder (chorus)
He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor)
Scene 7: God's ultimate victory
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (tenor)
Hallelujah (anthem and fugue chorus)

Part III
Scene 1: The promise of eternal life
I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano)
Since by man came death (chorus)
Scene 2: The Day of Judgment
Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass)
The trumpet shall sound (bass)
Scene 3: The final conquest of sin
Then shall be brought to pass (alto)
O death, where is thy sting? (alto and tenor)
But thanks be to God (chorus)
If God be for us, who can be against us? (soprano)
Scene 4: The acclamation of the Messiah
Worthy is the Lamb (anthem and fugue chorus)
Amen (anthem and fugue chorus)

The music is not relating a plot in any specific sense, but the progression of recitatives, arias, and choruses is masterfully moving the narrative forward. Handel also is adept at word painting. The best-known example is from “Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted” with the words “the crookèd straight, and the rough places plain" where the melody vividly illustrates the words. For "crookèd," the notes move in a winding, uneven pattern, while "plain" is rendered in a smooth, straightforward melodic line.

Listen for two more examples in the CSO’s selections:

- "All We Like Sheep" - The line "have gone astray" features wandering, unpredictable melodic phrases to represent the concept of straying from the path. This is followed by a return to a more disciplined melody, symbolizing redemption.

- "The Trumpet Shall Sound" - The vocal line imitates the triumphant, bold sound of a trumpet, embodying the power and clarity of the instrument mentioned in the text.

Is Messiah the most enduringly famous musical work in the Western Canon? It is much easier to argue for than against the premise. Consider:

- Its long-term popularity began with the premiere in 1742 and has been sustained across the centuries since.

- It was already performed regularly in Handel’s lifetime. It had a hugely successful premiere in Dublin with many follow-up performances that were also well received. London audiences did not embrace it with as much enthusiasm initially but were won over soon enough.

- Handel busily prepared alternate versions of many numbers responding to the needs of new soloists, instrumental forces, and venues available.

- The array of arrangements made after Handel’s death for larger ensembles and for more modern (aka classical and Romantic harmonies) shows the pervasive and enduring interest throughout Europe.

- In modern times, many, many ensembles now schedule annual performances, your CSO being just one of them. The total number of performances annually is in the thousands.

- The tradition of DIY Messiah is everywhere. People bring their own vocal scores and sing with orchestras great and small, or just organ, or piano, or any available ensemble. This Christmas season over 125 such events are taking place in the United States and more will be available around Easter time.

- Fans of any genre of music can probably bring to mind the strains of the Hallelujah Chorus.

- It has become foundational for Christian teaching as churches draw regularly on numbers from Messiah to complement the scriptural lessons of the day.

There are too many interesting and unexpected details about Messiah, too many to list. In fact every such detail undergirds its fame. Let’s start with one that invariably surprises concertgoers attending Messiah for the first time. The audience will all stand, as they are able, when the Hallelujah Chorus begins. Why?

Why indeed! Legend has it that King George II stood up during (after?) its performance. No contemporaneous accounts record that he did stand up, so the authenticity of the story is doubtful. If he did, three principal reasons seem possible:


1) Emotional Impact

The guileless interpretation is that George II was simply moved by the music's grandeur and its powerful proclamation of “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

2) A Religious Gesture

The Hallelujah Chorus proclaims the glory of Christ’s reign, drawing from Revelation 19:6, 11:15, and 19:16. Some speculate that the king, as the head of the Church of England, might have risen out of reverence for the divine message, akin to standing for a monarch.

3) Protocol or Confusion

It may be cynical, but it’s possible that he thought the performance had concluded. As standing was customary at the end of a royal event, the suddenness of the moment might have prompted the audience to follow suit, creating the tradition.

Because Handel directed that proceeds from early performances go to charity, it hastened the growth of its popularity. Beginning with the Dublin premiere it supported several charities, including Mercer’s Hospital and a debtor’s prison. In London Handel developed a close relationship with the Foundling Hospital, an institution caring for abandoned children. Starting in 1750, he performed Messiah annually to raise funds for the hospital. These performances not only brought financial support amounting to thousands of pounds in his lifetime but also elevated the hospital’s profile within society. Handel’s reputation suffered from indifferent reception of some of his operas but his philanthropy helped rehabilitate his public image and made manifest his commitment to moral causes.

Messiah has organically found its way to all the English-speaking world. Mozart was responsible for boosting its popularity in Austria and Germany. His K572 from 1789 was the same music reworked and reorchestrated to cater to Viennese preferences and ensemble resources. Today Mozart’s version is rarely performed because it is not in the same league as the original but it served its purpose.

Given that Messiah spans the entire church liturgical year, why do we associate it so strongly with Christmas? It debuted at Easter and received more performances at that time of year until Victorian times. When it was first performed in a theatre in London many were scandalized that sacred music was presented in a secular space. Nevertheless such venues are more associated with festive times and Christmas performances became the norm.

In the Bible Messiah is a word that is exceedingly rare. It comes from Hebrew Mashiach meaning anointed one, akin to Greek Christos, the anointed. The choice for the title was probably to emphasize the prophecy of the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible, that God would send them a savior. It provided a bridge between Jewish and Christian traditions and helped avoid doctrinal or denominational labels.

On the subject of doctrine, the Apostles’ Creed, the oldest creed commonly used in Christian churches, contains the line, “He [Christ] descended into Hell,” before “he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.” Methodist churches who still sometimes use the Apostles’ Creed have consigned the “He descended into Hell” phrase to a footnote and do not normally use it in worship. The controversy over the phrase accounts for “But thou didst not leave his soul in hell” (Part II Scene 2) being regularly omitted.

One more tidbit about something you will not hear. (Almost certainly!) On the final page of the Hallelujah Chorus the word Hallelujah is sung to the same tune four times in rapid succession, ended by two beats of complete silence. No one has attended very many amateur or do-it-yourself performances and escaped hearing some hapless participant sing out in the silence an extra repetition. Oops. If you sing the chorus yourself someday, you have been warned!

Jennens created what he called a Word Book that was reproduced in the program for the first Dublin performance. It contains all the biblical texts he used with their chapter and verse. A version is reproduced here.

Messiah Part I

Isaiah 40:1–3 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. 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 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.

Isaiah 40:5 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.

Haggai 2:6–7 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; yet once, a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations; and the Desire of All Nations shall come.

Malachi 3:1 The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire.

Malachi 3:3 And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel. “God with us.”

Isaiah 40:9 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength: lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 9:6 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.

Luke 2:8 There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

Luke 2:9 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 2:10–11 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 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.

Zechariah 9:9–10 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee! He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.

Isaiah 35:5–6 Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.

Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Matthew 11:28–29 Come unto Him, all ye that labor, come unto Him ye that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:30 His yoke is easy, and His burthen is light.

Messiah Part II

John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.

Isaiah 50:6 He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.

Isaiah 53:4–5 Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.

Isaiah 53:5 And with His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Psalm 22:7 All they that see Him, laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:

Psalm 22:8 He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him.

Psalm 69:20 Thy rebuke hath broken His heart; He is full of heaviness; He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man, neither found He any to comfort Him.

Lamentations 1:12 Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.

Isaiah 53:8 He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of Thy people was He stricken.

Psalm 16:10 But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell, nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.

Psalm 24:7–10 Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.

Hebrews 1:5 Unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?

Hebrews 1:6 Let all the angels of God worship Him.

Psalm 68:18 Thou art gone up on high, Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even for Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word; great was the company of the preachers.

Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Romans 10:18; Psalm 19:4 Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Psalm 2:1–2 Why do the nations so furiously rage together? and why do the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His anointed.

Psalm 2:3 Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.

Psalm 2:4 He that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Revelation 19:6 Hallelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Revelation 11:15 The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.

Revelation 19:16 King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Messiah Part III

Job 19:25–26 I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.

And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

I Corinthians 15:20 For now is Christ risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep.

I Corinthians 15:21–22 Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

I Corinthians 15:51–52 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

I Corinthians 15:52–53 The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality.

I Corinthians 15:54 Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

I Corinthians 15:55–56 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:31 If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:33–34 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again. Who is at the right hand of God, Who makes intercession for us.

Revelation 5:12–14 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honor, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

(c) 2024 by Steven Hollingsworth,
Creative Commons Public Attribution 3.0
United States License.
Contact steve@trecorde.net