A Guide to the Original Source Texts for Handel’s Messiah

1 Compiled by Martin P. Dicke Page 1 of 9 A Guide to the Original Source Texts for Handel s Messiah Libretto: Charles Jennens (1700-1773) Music: Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759) The libretto of Handel s Messiah comes directly from the Bible and was assembled by Charles Jennens, an English aristocrat who collaborated with Handel on several other oratorios. His primary Source was the King James Version of the Bible. For all but one of the Psalm Texts , however, he used the 1662 Book of Common Altogether, the libretto is taken from 81 Bible verses that come from 14 different books of the Bible. Of these books, Isaiah is quoted the most frequently (21 verses) followed by the Book of Psalms (15 verses) and 1 Corinthians (10 verses).2 It is interesting and significant to note that all of the passages from 1 Corinthians come from 1 Corinthians 15, a chapter that I like to call the Resurrection Chapter.

2 For the purpose of contextualization and a deeper understanding of the libretto, this document provides the Original Source Texts for the Messiah libretto in their entirety. Unless noted otherwise, all passages come from the Standard (Pure Cambridge) King James Version of the The text that makes up the Messiah libretto is highlighted. Yellow indicates words sung by soloists, blue indicates words sung by the chorus, and green indicates words that are sung by both. You will note that in some cases certain words or phrases of certain verses are left out of the libretto. These omissions may have been made by Jennens for textual reasons. Other omissions may have been made by Handel for musical reasons ( to provide a concise libretto that lends itself to a particular musical motive and a spirited musical setting). In all cases, however, the primary argument and thrust of the libretto is not altered.

3 The headings used in this document come from a wordbook published for a 1743 performance of Messiah . There is evidence that Jennens had a hand in the publication of this wordbook. In this wordbook the three parts (or acts) of the oratorio are divided into 16 scenes: five for Part One, seven for Part Two, and four for Part Three. 1 The text for the Air #53 Thou Shalt Break Them (Psalm 2:9) is taken from the King James Bible. Otherwise, all the other Psalm Texts are from the 1622 Book of Common Prayer. See The Book of Common Prayer (1662): As printed by John Baskerville < > (12 December 2013). 2 The books from which the Messiah libretto is taken and the number of verses used from each are as follows: Isaiah 21; Psalms 15; 1 Corinthians 10; Revelation 7; Luke 6; Romans 5; Matthew 4; Malachi 3; Haggai 2; Job 2; Zechariah 2; Hebrews 2; Lamentations 1; and John 1.

4 3 See The Official King James Bible Online < > (12 December 2013). Prepared by Martin P. Dicke Page 2 of 9 Messiah A Sacred Oratorio Majora (Virgil, Eclogue IV) And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness : God was manifested in the Flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the World, received up in Glory (1 Timothy 3:16) In whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge (Colossians 2:3) PART ONE : The prophesy and realization of God s plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah5 (i) The prophecy of Salvation 1. Overture 2. Accompagnato Comfort Ye Isaiah 40:1-3 1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 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.

5 3 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. 3. Air Every Valley Isaiah 40:4 4 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: 4. Chorus And the Glory of the Lord Isaiah 40:5 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. (ii) the prophecy of the coming of Messiah and the question, despite (i), of what this may portend for the World 5. Accompagnato Thus Saith the Lord Haggai 2:6-7; Malachi 3:1 6 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; 7 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.

6 1 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. 4 Let us sing of great things. 5 The headings used in this document come from a wordbook published for a 1743 performance of Messiah . There is evidence that Jennens had a hand in the publication of this wordbook. In this wordbook the three parts (or acts) of the oratorio are divided into 16 scenes: five for Part One, seven for Part Two, and four for Part Three. Prepared by Martin P. Dicke Page 3 of 9 6. Air But Who May Abide Malachi 3:2 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?

7 For he is like a refiner s fire, and like fullers soap: 7. Chorus And He Shall Purify Malachi 3:3 3 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. (iii) the prophecy of the Virgin Birth 8. Recitative Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 23 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. 9. Air and Chorus O Thou That Tellest Isaiah 40:9; 60:1 9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings,6 get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings,7 lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

8 1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 10. Accompagnato For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth Isaiah 60:2-3 2 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. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 11. Air The People that Walked in Darkness Isaiah 9:2 2 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. 12. Chorus For Unto Us a Child is Born Isaiah 9:6 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.

9 (iv) the appearance of the Angels to the Shepherds 13. Interlude: Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) 14a. Recitative There Were Shepherds Luke 2:8 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 6 In the margin to the 1611 King James Version, an alternative translation is provided for this phrase: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (see ). This phrase was chosen for the Messiah libretto. 7 In the margin to the 1611 King James Version, an alternative translation is provided for this phrase: O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem (see ). This phrase was chosen for the Messiah libretto. Prepared by Martin P. Dicke Page 4 of 9 14b. Accompagnato And, lo Luke 2:9 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.

10 15. Recitative And the Angel Said Unto Them Luke 2:10-11 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 16. Accompagnato And Suddenly Luke 2:13 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 17. Chorus Glory to God Luke 2:14 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (v) Christ s redemptive miracles on earth 18. Air Rejoice, Rejoice Zechariah 9:9-10 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation;8 lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.