{"id":17585,"date":"2024-12-25T04:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-25T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/?p=17585"},"modified":"2024-12-25T00:01:10","modified_gmt":"2024-12-25T05:01:10","slug":"wedding-scripture-and-song-singing-and-savoring-handels-hallelujah-chorus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/article\/concise\/wedding-scripture-and-song-singing-and-savoring-handels-hallelujah-chorus\/","title":{"rendered":"Wedding Scripture and Song: Singing and Savoring Handel\u2019s \u201cHallelujah Chorus\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we have seen throughout this month, the marriage of Charles Jennens\u2019 selected Scriptures with Handel\u2019s musical genius resulted in a memorable oratorio that glorifies our beloved Messiah. Nowhere is this more evident than in the resounding words of Handel\u2019s Hallelujah Chorus, <\/em>which come from the book of Revelation. Truly, \u201cSection 44\u201d in Messiah <\/em>is perhaps the loftiest composition in all of Christian music and certainly one of the most well-known. Accompanied by stringed instruments, the choir sings, \u201cHallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth\u201d (Revelation 19:6), \u201cThe kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever\u201d (Revelation 11:15), and \u201cKing of kings, and Lord of lords\u201d (Revelation 19:16). This masterful interlacing of musical score and scriptural truth stirs within the Christian deep affection, reverence, and awe for the Lord Christ\u2019s majesty.<\/p>\n

In this brief account concerning the \u201cHallelujah Chorus,\u201d I explore how Handel masterfully weaves together Jennens\u2019 selected verses from Revelation with his musical composition, bequeathing to us his \u201cHallelujah Chorus\u201d that evokes profound emotional and spiritual responses, intensifying our yearning for the full realization of Messiah\u2019s dominion over all creation. These reflections accent how the majestic setting of Scripture to musical harmony and polyphony beckon us to raise our voices in worship of our sovereign God, King Jesus, and invigorate our hope for the fullness of his eternal reign.<\/p>\n

Reflections on the Hallelujah Chorus: Word and Music Effectively Unified<\/h2>\n

The \u201cHallelujah Chorus,\u201d the most universally memorable anthem from Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em>, the closing chorus of Part II of the oratorio\u2019s three parts, is regularly mistaken as the grand finale of the entire oratorio. This is because most contemporary performances of Messiah<\/em> do not feature the entire oratorio but a pared-down version that includes most of Part I with the \u201cHallelujah Chorus\u201d from Part II added as the grand finale.[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

1. Hence, the practice of standing for the \u201cHallelujah Chorus\u201d is understandable and proper though the origin of this custom has been fictionalized. No evidence exists King George II attended the oratorio\u2019s performance. More likely, standing was a common practice after sitting through a long musical performance for the audience to change their posture by standing through all the choruses when the entire choir and orchestra performed with grand effect.<\/h6>\n

The chorus features resounding portions of three passages from the Apostle John\u2019s Apocalypse in this order:<\/p>\n

\u201cHallelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth\u201d (Revelation 19:6).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever\u201d (Revelation 11:15).[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

\u201cKing of kings, and Lord of lords\u201d (Revelation 19:16)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Those familiar with the King James Version should observe how Charles Jennens, Handel\u2019s librettist, does not follow the plural \u201ckingdoms\u201d of the KJV in Rev. 11:15. Rather, Jennens correctly represents the biblical text as \u201cThe kingdom [singular] of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ.\u201d It seems he realized that the KJV\u2019s plural \u201ckingdoms\u201d (ai basileiai<\/em>), present in two late Greek manuscripts, should be rejected in favor of the singular, \u0101 basileia<\/em>.<\/h6>\n

Handel\u2019s Section 44, known as the \u201cHallelujah Chorus<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d begins with the familiar brief introductory sounds of orchestral strings, immediately followed by voices singing \u201cHallelujah\u201d in two sequences of five.[3]<\/a><\/sup> This repetition of \u201cHallelujah\u201d resembles the unified \u201cvoice of a great multitude\u201d John heard, reminiscent of \u201cthe voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings\u201d (19:6). The music swells with intensity as voices strive to express Messiah\u2019s majesty. The interplay between harmony and polyphony reflects the richness and complexity of the biblical text. Accompanied by the orchestra, female and male voices alternately sing \u201cHallelujah\u201d and \u201cFor the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Before reading further, listen here to the Hallelujah Chorus.<\/a><\/h6>\n

The fifth round is punctuated with all the voices harmonizing a somewhat prolonged \u201cHal-le-lu-jah!\u201d The orchestra echoes the voices, transitioning to the midportion of the chorus, \u201cThe kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ, and of his Christ, and of his Christ,\u201d followed by \u201cand he shall reign for ever and ever\u201d four times. The music begins to crescendo with interspersing repetitions of \u201cKing of kings\u201d \u201cand Lord of lords,\u201d each followed by reprisals of \u201cfor ever and ever\u201d and \u201cHallelujah! Hallelujah!\u201d Three \u201cHallelujahs!\u201d crescendo to the climactic fourth, when the tempo slows to draw out the final \u201cHallelujah!\u201d to close out Part 2 of Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Despite Jennens\u2019 initial misgivings concerning the speed with which Handel composed the oratorio, the composer\u2019s genius remains undisputed.[4]<\/a><\/sup> Jennens\u2019 lyrical prodigy greatly enhanced Handel\u2019s musical brilliance. A staunch Anglican with a profound interest in Shakespeare\u2019s works, music, and the Scriptures, Jennens arranged the scriptures of Messiah <\/em>with a remarkable understanding of the biblical storyline.<\/p>\n

4. On the composition of Messiah, <\/em>see Esther Crookshank, \u201cThe Scriptures in Handel\u2019s\u00a0Messiah<\/em>: An Overview<\/a>\u201d Christ Over All<\/em>, Dec 4, 2024.<\/em><\/h6>\n

Indeed, the words of each text are by themselves splendid, but Jennens\u2019 genius is evident in how he arranges their order. Consider the placement and ordering of Revelation 19:6, 11:15, and 19:16, which constitute the \u201cHallelujah Chorus.\u201d Many mistakenly suppose the \u201cHallelujah Chorus,\u201d derived from John\u2019s Apocalypse, concludes the entire oratorio. It does not. Jennens placed the crescendoing \u201cHallelujah Chorus\u201d at the close of Part\u00a02, climaxing the meditation on the Lord Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. What could possibly follow such a climactic marriage of sacred lyrics and glorious musical scores commemorating Messiah\u2019s exaltation? Calvin Stapert correctly observes, \u201cThe answer is this: although the victory has been won and its results are certain, the results have not yet been fully realized.\u201d[5]<\/a><\/sup> For this reason, the three passages from Revelation do not end Jennens\u2019 libretto. Instead, Part III follows, featuring the Christian\u2019s assured hope of being raised from death to stand justified on the Last Day, resting fully in Messiah\u2019s own vindication by triumphing over death and the grave. Stated simply, Jennens and Handel have bequeathed to us a biblical theology set to music that tracks the Bible\u2019s narrative arc concerning the already<\/em> and not yet<\/em> dimensions of Messiah\u2019s regal triumph. His sacrificial death, burial, resurrection, and ascension already accomplished salvation<\/em> for all his people who eagerly yearn for his not-yet-but-coming full royal dominion<\/em>.<\/p>\n

5. Calvin R. Stapert, Handel\u2019s Messiah: Comfort for God\u2019s People<\/em> (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2010), 142.<\/h6>\n

Thus, with appreciation for that overarching biblical theology, let\u2019s look at each Scripture text.<\/p>\n

1. Revelation 19:6: The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth<\/h3>\n

The first Scripture in the \u201cHallelujah Chorus\u201d is Revelation 19:6\u2014\u201cAnd I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.\u201d This verse exalts God\u2019s omnipotence, declaring his reign over all creation. That the chorus begins with this triumphant proclamation sets the tone for the entire piece. The repeated use of \u201cHallelujah\u201d reflects the multitude\u2019s collective praise for God\u2019s supreme authority and power.<\/p>\n

With its rising crescendos and forceful rhythms, Handel’s music mirrors the awe-inspiring scene described in Revelation. The swell of the choir, representing the multitude, rises like \u201cmany waters\u201d and \u201cmighty thunderings.\u201d As the voices rise and fall, the listener is drawn into the scene, almost hearing the heavenly host proclaiming God\u2019s reign.<\/p>\n

For Christians, hearing this verse sung with such power evokes a deep sense of reverence for the sovereign rule of God. The omnipotence of God, which may seem distant, is brought near through Handel\u2019s music. Our hearts swell with love and awe as we reflect on the Messiah who reigns over all creation, holding the universe in his hands, and is worthy of universal praise. The music reinforces the truth of the words\u2014\u201cthe Lord God omnipotent reigneth\u201d\u2014lifting our spirits to sing along, longing for the day when every knee should bow before him in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess, \u201cJesus Messiah is Lord,\u201d to God the Father\u2019s glory.<\/p>\n

2. Revelation 11:15: The Kingdom of Our Lord and of His Christ<\/h3>\n

The second passage of the \u201cHallelujah Chorus\u201d is the latter half of Revelation 11:15. \u201cAnd the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, \u2018The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.\u2019\u201d The Apostle John\u2019s vision portrays the ultimate triumph of Christ and the establishment of his eternal kingdom. It proclaims Christ\u2019s victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness.<\/p>\n

Handel\u2019s musical treatment of this verse is profound. The melody and harmony build with increasing intensity, reflecting the unassailable progression of Christ\u2019s kingdom. As the choir sings, \u201cand He shall reign forever and ever,\u201d the repetition signifies the eternal nature of Christ\u2019s rule, assuring believers that Messiah\u2019s reign has no termination date.<\/p>\n

In a world where earthly kingdoms rise and fall, where human leaders are flawed and prone to failure, the promise that \u201cthe kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord\u201d fills Christians with hope. It assures us that our prayers\u2014\u201cLet your Kingdom come; let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven\u201d\u2014will reach fulfillment in the kingdom ruled by the impartial, righteous, and loving King. Christ\u2019s reign is not temporary or subject to the whims and corruption of politicians. Messiah\u2019s reign is just, unshakable, and eternal.<\/p>\n

This truth stirs the believer\u2019s deep longing for Christ\u2019s return to complete the extent of his dominion. As the music soars with the repeated \u201cforever and ever,\u201d our hearts soar, filled with joyful anticipation. Our Christian hope is kindled as we look longingly to the day Christ will reign fully and visibly over all creation.<\/p>\n

3. Revelation 19:16: King of Kings and Lord of Lords<\/h3>\n

The final words Handel weaves into his Hallelujah Chorus derive from the latter portion of Revelation 19:16\u2014\u201cAnd he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.\u201d The acclamation powerfully underscores Christ\u2019s supreme authority. He is not just a king among many but \u201cthe King of kings and Lord of lords.\u201d His authority infinitely surpasses all others.<\/p>\n

Handel gives this verse special prominence in the chorus, repeating the title, \u201cKing of kings, and Lord of lords,\u201d multiple times. The repetition and the music\u2019s grandeur highlight Christ\u2019s majesty and supremacy. The choir\u2019s voices reach their highest peaks as they proclaim these words, capturing the glory and honor due the Messiah. The words conveyed through majestic and royal musical tones evoke a profound sense of awe and reverence. It lifts our hearts to worship the One who is over all powers and authorities, holding all things together, and reigning in glory. As we listen to this part of the chorus, how can our hearts not be drawn into deeper communion with Christ to acknowledge his rightful place as King over us and the whole of creation? Truly, our affections are stirred to worship the Messiah, bowing before him in humble adoration as our lips repeat, \u201cKing of kings and Lord of lords.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Handel\u2019s Messiah is more than exceptional music thanks to the selected Scriptures arranged by Charles Jennens. The marriage of the Bible\u2019s arc of Messiah\u2019s storyline and musical scores worthy of such a narrative sweeps us up to exalt our sovereign God who triumphs through Christ Jesus to reign eternally over all. The profound worship of the Lord Christ, spanning nearly three hours, is an extraordinary experience. Yet, the most memorable portion of the oratorio is not the climax at the end, with \u201cAmen\u201d repeated numerous times, but at the close of Part II, the \u201cHallelujah Chorus,\u201d four minutes of the sublime exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Five years ago this month, following dinner with our younger son\u2019s family, my wife and I last attended a performance of selected portions of Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em> by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestras and Minnesota Choral Artists. During dinner and following the concert, we discussed the suitability of attending what is generally accepted as a sacred oratorio performed by instrumentalists and singers who do not confess Messiah as Lord on whom every word they sing focuses. It is understandable that some, such as John Newton (Rector of St. Mary in London) in 1784, the centenary of Handel\u2019s birth, took issue with the Messiah\u2019s <\/em>performance at Westminster Abbey.[6]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

6. Newton\u2019s opposition prompted him to preach a series of fifty sermons. Bob Kauflin<\/a> and Ben Purves<\/a> comment on Newton\u2019s approach. Here, I offer my own take.<\/h6>\n

The course of our conversation prompted me to raise several questions. Why would we presume that our Lord Jesus Christ does not receive praise from choirs and orchestras when they perform Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em>, the words of which are entirely derived from God\u2019s Holy Word, the Scriptures, even if those singers and instrumentalists have not yet entered God\u2019s Kingdom? Did not the Word, the Creator of all things, bequeath to singers their talented voices and to instrumentalists their skilled fingers and lips to present the Messiah\u2019s story so exquisitely, yes, despite their unbelief and misunderstanding? Though they know not God\u2019s redemption in the Messiah of whom they sing, do they not bear testimony to themselves, to one another, and to every attendee concerning the advent of the King who now reigns and shall have full dominion over his entire creation? As their voices sing the words of Scripture and their fingers play harmonizing instruments, unwittingly and without constraint, do they not testify concerning the gospel of our Lord?[7]<\/a><\/sup> My response to these questions is to quote the Apostle Paul, who encountered similar questions concerning some who preached the gospel with evil motives. Paul responds: \u201cWhat then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice\u201d (Philippians 1:18).<\/p>\n

7. Concerning the \u201cHallelujah Chorus\u201d being sung, Newton correctly notes the impotence of the music to transform hard hearts. \u201cThe impression which the performance of this passage in the oratorio usually makes upon the audience is well known. But however great the power of music may be it cannot soften and change the hard heart, it cannot bend the obdurate will of man. If all the people who successively hear the Messiah, who are struck and astonished for the moment by this chorus in particular, were to bring away with them an abiding sense of the importance of the sentiment it contains, the nation would soon wear a new face. But do the professed lovers of sacred music in this enlightened age live as if they really believed that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth? I appeal to conscience; I appeal to fact\u201d (John M. Brentnall, \u201cJohn Newton on Handel\u2019s Messiah,\u201d Banner of Truth<\/em><\/a> (November 1, 2000). The impotence of which Newton speaks is also true concerning his and our preaching of God\u2019s Word. However eloquently and loftily we may preach, the power is in the gospel message, the words preached or sung.<\/h6>\n

To attend such a performance of Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em> beckons us to acknowledge the already and not yet aspects of Christ\u2019s reign over God\u2019s Kingdom. It is to witness and enjoy an earthly foreshadowing of what the Apostle Paul speaks of with these words: \u201cTherefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father\u201d (Philippians 2:9\u201311).<\/p>\n

We must not underestimate the power of God\u2019s gospel, which is being sung by vocalists and supported by instrumentalists who have not yet submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe the occasion calls for us to pray, not oppose performances of Messiah<\/em>. We should receive the occasion for what it is: a welcomed incursion of the good news of God\u2019s Kingdom into enemy territory. Thank the Lord for the event. Pray and revel in this wonder of the Advent season as a foreshadowing of that Day when every voice will acknowledge Christ Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. May this tradition of the Christmas Season become heartfelt worship and adoration of the King of kings. Pray that our God will bring about a grand revival of the gospel\u2019s powerful work to attend every performance of the Messiah<\/em>.<\/p>\n

<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Hallelujah Chorus is the most famous section in the most famous oratorio . . . but what is it all about? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17586,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"The Hallelujah Chorus is the most famous section in the most famous oratorio . . . but what is it all about? ","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[32,12,1814,38],"tags":[823,187,102,1964,1460,58,257,326,1514,677,507],"scripture-reference":[],"post_folder":[],"ppma_author":[25],"class_list":["post-17585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-concise","category-december-2024","category-theme","tag-christ","tag-christmas","tag-gospel","tag-hallelujah","tag-handels-messiah","tag-lordship-of-christ","tag-messiah","tag-music","tag-musical-worship","tag-scripture","tag-the-word"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Revelation-Ruling-Caneday-Attribute-to-fullofeyes.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-01-13 11:52:53","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"authors":[{"term_id":25,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"ardel-caneday","display_name":"Ardel Caneday","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ardel-caneday.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ardel-caneday.jpg"},"author_category":"","job_title":"","church_city_state":"","last_name":"Caneday","first_name":"Ardel","church_site":"","user_url":"https:\/\/abcaneday.com","description":"Ardel Caneday<\/b> continues as an adjunct faculty member at University of Northwestern<\/a> after recently retiring from his role as Professor of New Testament & Greek. Ardel completed the MDiv and ThM at Grace Theological Seminary and the PhD in New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is a founding teaching elder of Christ Bible Church (Roseville, MN). He co-edited with Matthew Barrett Four Views on the Historical Adam<\/i>, co-authored with Thomas R. Schreiner The Race Set Before Us<\/i>, and has published many articles in Christian magazines, journals, books, and online."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17585"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17585\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17591,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17585\/revisions\/17591"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17585"},{"taxonomy":"scripture-reference","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/scripture-reference?post=17585"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=17585"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christoverall.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=17585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}