The libretto of Messiah is taken from numerous books of the Bible: Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Lamentations, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Matthew, Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, Hebrews and Revelation. If you’re not familiar with the passages selected by Jennens, you can read them at the above link. The first five verses of Isaiah […]
Many people know that Handel wrote the music for Messiah. But what about, Charles Jennens, the man who chose the Bible passages for its libretto? Messiah was born of a personal tragedy. In his 2010 commencement address, For the Mouth of the Lord Hath Spoken It, Dr. Al Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, […]
When I was growing up we attended a church with a large music program, and I first sang in a choir as a young child. In December our minister of music would have all the choirs sing the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah. The adult choir was at the front of the church, while the […]
Happy Mother’s Day! This is not the easiest of days for many women. Whatever your circumstances, the Lord knows your labor of love for children—whether they are yours or children whom you have nurtured and encouraged. May He bless you and honor you for your faithful work. May He comfort and console those of you […]
When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, “Behold, He is calling […]
As Jesus talked with His disciples the night before He died on the cross (John 13–16), He spoke to them about who He was, and he described about the suferring they would face as His disciples. He reassured them of His continuing presence and care in His sending of the Holy Spirit even as He […]
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:22–23 – Psalm 118 is in Book V of the Psalms. It’s also the last psalm of the ‘Egyptian Hallel.’ Derek Kidner wrote: “A short run of psalms used at the yearly […]
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in […]
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, 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 KJV – The words of the “Hallelujah” chorus in Handel’s Messiah are from Revelation 19:6, 16; […]