The Complete Messiah
Written in 1741
First Performed in Dublin, Ireland, 1742
George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759)
Find the Complete Score Here. Enjoy and Sing Along!
Overture
Comfort Ye, My People
Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her,
that her warfare is accomplished, that heriniquity 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 forour God.
(Isaiah 40:1-3)
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her,
that her warfare is accomplished, that heriniquity 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 forour God.
(Isaiah 40:1-3)
Ev'ry Valley
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low,
the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
(Isaiah 40:4)
the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
(Isaiah 40:4)
And the Glory of the Lord
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)
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
(Isaiah 40:5)
Thus Saith the Lord of Hosts
Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Yet once, 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
(Malachi 3:1)
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.
(Haggai 2:6-7)
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 ye delight in: Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
(Haggai 2:6-7)
But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming
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 3:2)
And who shall stand when He appeareth?
For He is like a refiner's fire.
(Malachi 3:2)
And He Shall Purify the Sons of Levi
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
(Malachi 3:3)
(Malachi 3:3)
Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
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)
which being interpreted is,
God with us.
(Matthew 1:23)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.
(Isaiah 7:14)
which being interpreted is,
God with us.
(Matthew 1:23)
O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion.
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, and 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)
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, and 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)
For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth
For, behold, 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)
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)
The People that Walked in Darkness
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 9:2)
And they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.
(Isaiah 9:2)
For unto Us a Child Is Born
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, Counselor, the mighty God,
the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)
and the government shall be upon His shoulder.
And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God,
the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)
Interlude
Pastoral Symphony
There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Field
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
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 2:8,9)
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)
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 2:8,9)
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)
Glory to God in the Highest
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luke 2:13-14)
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luke 2:13-14)
Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, thy King cometh unto thee.
He is the righteous Savior... And he shall speak peace unto the heathen.
(Zechariah 9:9,10) (Matthew 21:5)
He is the righteous Savior... And he shall speak peace unto the heathen.
(Zechariah 9:9,10) (Matthew 21:5)
Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind Be Open'd
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 shall sing.
(Isaiah 35:5-6)
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.
(Isaiah 35:5-6)
He Shall Feed His Flock Like A Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm,
and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Come unto Him, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and He shall 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.
(Isaiah 40:11) (Matthew 11:28-29)
and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Come unto Him, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and He shall 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.
(Isaiah 40:11) (Matthew 11:28-29)
His Yoke Is Easy, His Burden Is Light
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
(Matthew 11:30)
(Matthew 11:30)
~*~ End of Part One ~*~
Behold the Lamb of God
Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world.
(John 1:29)
(John 1:29)
He Was Despised
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. . .
(Isaiah 53:3)
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 50:6)
(Isaiah 53:3)
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 50:6)
Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
And With His Stripes We Are Healed
All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
All They That See Him Laugh Him To Scorn
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 53:4-5)
And with His stripes we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)
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.
(Isaiah 53:6)
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, they shake their heads, saying...
(Psalm 22:7)
He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities;
the chastisement of our peace was upon him.
(Isaiah 53:4-5)
And with His stripes we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)
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.
(Isaiah 53:6)
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, they shake their heads, saying...
(Psalm 22:7)
He Trusted God
He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if he delight in Him.
(Psalm 22:8) (Matthew 27:43)
(Psalm 22:8) (Matthew 27:43)
Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Behold And See If There Be Any Sorrow
He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land Of The Living
But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell
Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
Unto Which Of The Angels Said He At Any Time
Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
Thou Art Gone Up On High
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart; He is full of heaviness.
He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was none;
neither found He any to comfort Him.
(Psalm 69:20)
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow. . .
(Lamentations 1:12)
He was cut off out of the land of the living;
for the transgression of Thy people was He stricken.
(Isaiah 53:8)
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell;
neither didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.
(Psalm 16:10) (Acts 2:27)
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 the 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 the King of Glory?
The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
(Psalm 24:7-10)
For unto which of the angels said He at any time,
Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?
(Hebrews 1:5) (Psalm 2:7)
Let all the angels of God worship Him.
(Hebrews 1:6)
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 68:18) (Ephesians 4:8)
He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was none;
neither found He any to comfort Him.
(Psalm 69:20)
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow. . .
(Lamentations 1:12)
He was cut off out of the land of the living;
for the transgression of Thy people was He stricken.
(Isaiah 53:8)
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell;
neither didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.
(Psalm 16:10) (Acts 2:27)
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 the 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 the King of Glory?
The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
(Psalm 24:7-10)
For unto which of the angels said He at any time,
Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?
(Hebrews 1:5) (Psalm 2:7)
Let all the angels of God worship Him.
(Hebrews 1:6)
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 68:18) (Ephesians 4:8)
The Lord Gave The World
How Beautiful Are The Feet Of Them
Their Sound Is Gone Out Into All Lands
Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together
Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
He That Dwelleth In Heaven Shall Laugh Them To Scorn
Thou Shalt Break Them With A Rod Of Iron
Hallelujah!
The Lord gave the word; great was the company of the preachers.
(Psalm 68:11)
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(Romans 10:15) (Isaiah 52:7)
Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.
(Romans 10:18) (Psalm 19:4)
Why do the heathen rage, 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 2:1-2) (Acts 4:25-26)
Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.
(Psalm 2:3)
He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.
(Psalm 2:4)
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
(Psalm 2:9)
Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
(Revelation 19:6)
. . . the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
(Revelation 11:15)
. . . . KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS.
(Revelation 19:16)
(Psalm 68:11)
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(Romans 10:15) (Isaiah 52:7)
Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.
(Romans 10:18) (Psalm 19:4)
Why do the heathen rage, 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 2:1-2) (Acts 4:25-26)
Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.
(Psalm 2:3)
He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.
(Psalm 2:4)
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
(Psalm 2:9)
Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
(Revelation 19:6)
. . . the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
(Revelation 11:15)
. . . . KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS.
(Revelation 19:16)
~*~ End of Part Two ~*~
I Know that My Redeemer Liveth
I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand on the latter day upon the earth;
And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
(Job 19:25-26)
For now is Christ risen from the dead. . . the firstfruits of them that sleep.
(1 Corinthians 15:20)
And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
(Job 19:25-26)
For now is Christ risen from the dead. . . the firstfruits of them that sleep.
(1 Corinthians 15:20)
Since by Man Came Death
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.
(1 Corinthians 15:21,22)
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
(1 Corinthians 15:21,22)
Behold, I Tell You a Mystery
And the Trumpet Shall Sound
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep;
but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet...
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
...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.
(1 Corinthians 15:52-53)
but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet...
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
...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.
(1 Corinthians 15:52-53)
Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
O Death Where Is Thy Sting?
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'
(1 Corinthians 15:54) (Isaiah 25:8)
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.
(1 Corinthians 15:55-56) (Hosea 13:14)
(1 Corinthians 15:54) (Isaiah 25:8)
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.
(1 Corinthians 15:55-56) (Hosea 13:14)
But Thanks Be to God
But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
If God Be for Us
If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay any thing 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.
(Romans 8:31,33-34)
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.
(Romans 8:31,33-34)
Worthy Is the Lamb of God
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches,
and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.
(Revelation 5:12-13)
and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.
(Revelation 5:12-13)