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Handel |
libretto [by Jennens] |
Newton |
Newton's Scripture texts |
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Part 1 |
Old Testament Promises of The Coming Messiah |
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No. 1
overture |
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No. 2
Recit. Accomp.
Tenor
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"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 cried in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:1-3) |
1 |
The Consolation
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: for she hath received at the Lord's hand double for all her sins, Isaiah 40:1,2
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2 |
The Harbinger
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. 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. 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 40:3-5
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No. 3
Air |
"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain." (Isaiah 40:4) |
No. 4
Chorus |
"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) |
No. 5
Recit. Accomp.
Bass
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"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." (Haggai 2:6-7)
"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" (Malachi 3:1)
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3 |
The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
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: 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, Haggai 2:6,7
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4 |
The Lord coming to his Temple
The Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple; even the messenger of the covenant in whom ye delight: Behold, he shall come saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth ? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap—and he shall purify the sons of Levi—that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness, Malachi 3:I-3
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No. 6
Air
Alto / Soprano
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"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) |
No. 7
Chorus |
"And he shall purify the sons of Levy, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness" (Malachi 3:3) |
No. 8
Recit.
Alto
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"Behold! a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) |
5 |
Immanuel
Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, God with us, Isaiah 7:14
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No. 9
Air
Alto & Chorus |
"O thou that tellest good tidings of 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 40:9).
"Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee" (Isaiah 60:1)
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6 |
Salvation published from the Mountains
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountains; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isaiah 40:9
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7 |
The Morning Light
Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 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, and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising, Isaiah 60:1-3
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No. 10
Recit.
Bass
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"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) |
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No. 11
Air
Bass
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"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) |
8 |
The Sun rising upon a dark World
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, Isaiah 9:2 |
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No. 12
Chorus
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"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" (Isaiah 9:6) |
9 |
Characters and Names of Messiah
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, Isaiah 9:6 |
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The Birth of Messiah |
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No. 13
Pastoral Symphony
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No. 14
Recit.
Soprano
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"There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night" (Luke 2:8) |
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The Angel's Message and Song
There were in the same country 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. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which shall be unto all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory be to God in the highest, on earth peace, good-will towards men, Luke 2:8-14 |
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Recit. Accomp. |
"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 2:9) |
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No. 15
Recit
Soprano
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"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) |
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No. 16
Recit. Accomp.
Soprano
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"And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: |
No. 17
Chorus |
"Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men" (Luke 2:13-14) |
No. 18
Air
Soprano
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"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" (Zechariah 9:9-10) |
11 |
Messiah's Entrance into Jerusalem
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold thy King cometh unto thee: he is just and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.—And he shall speak peace unto the heathen, Zechariah 9:9,10 |
No. 19
Recit.
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"Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing" (Isaiah 35:5-6) |
12 |
Effects of Messiah's Appearance
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 sing, Isaiah 35:5,6 |
No. 20
Air (Alto) |
"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" (Isaiah 40:11) |
13 |
The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom; and shall gently lead those that are with young, Isaiah 40:11 |
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Air (Soprano) |
"Come unto him, all ye that labour and 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" (Matt. 11:28-29) |
14 |
Rest for the Weary
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Matthew 11:28 |
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15 |
Messiah's easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light, Matt. 11:29,30 |
No. 21
Chorus |
"His yoke is easy and his burden is light." |
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Part 2 |
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No. 22
Chorus |
"Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world"
John 1:29 |
16 |
The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world! John 1:29 |
No. 23
Air
Alto
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"He was 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 |
17 |
Messiah despised, and rejected of Men
He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Isaiah 53:3 |
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Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:6 |
No. 24
Chorus |
"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 |
19 |
Messiah suffering and wounded for us
Surely he hath borne our grief and carried our sorrows.— He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4,5 |
No. 25
Chorus |
"And with his stripes we are healed"
Isaiah 53:5 |
No. 26
Chorus |
"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 |
20 |
Sin charged upon the Surety
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 |
No. 27
Recit. Accomp.
Tenor
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"All they that see him, laugh him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads saying: |
21 |
Messiah derided upon the Cross
All they that see me, laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him; let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. Psalm 22:7, 8 |
No. 28
Chorus |
"He trusted in God that He would deliver him; let Him deliver him, if He delight in him" Psalm 22:7-8; Matt. 27:43 |
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Crucifixion Of The Messiah |
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No. 29
Recit. Accomp.
Tenor
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"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" Psalm 69:20 |
22 |
Messiah unpitied and without comforter
Reproach [rebuke] hath broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Psalm 69:20 |
No. 30
Air
Tenor
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"Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto his sorrow"
Lamentations 1:12 |
23 |
No Sorrow like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! Lamentations 1:12 |
No. 31
Recit. Accomp
Soprano or Tenor
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"He was cut off from the land of the living; for the trangressions of Thy people was he stricken" Isaiah 53:8 |
24 |
Messiah's Innocence vindicated
He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken. Isaiah 53:8 |
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Resurrection Of The Messiah |
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No. 32
Air
Soprano or Tenor
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"But Thou didst not leave his soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy holy one to see corruption" |
25 |
Messiah rising from the dead
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Psalm 16:10 |
No. 33
Chorus |
"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 |
26 |
The Ascension of Messiah to Glory
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, even lift them 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. Psalm 24:7-10 |
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Ascension Of Messiah To Glory |
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No. 34
Recit.
Tenor
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"Unto which of the Angels said he at any time, Thou art My son, this day have I begotten thee?"
Hebrews 1:5 |
27 |
Messiah the Son of God
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? Hebrews 1:5 |
No. 35
Chorus |
"Let all the angels of God worship him" Hebrews 1:6 |
28 |
Messiah worshipped by Angels
Let all the angels of God worship him. Hebrews 1:6 |
No. 36
Air
Alto or Soprano
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"Thou art gone up on high; thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, yea, even from thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them" Psalm 68:18; Ephesians 4:8 |
29 |
Gifts received for the Rebellious
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Psalm 68:18 |
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Proclamation Of The Gospel By The Disciples |
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No. 37
Chorus |
"The Lord gave the word, great was the company of the preachers" Psalm 68:11 |
30 |
The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word, great was the company of those that published it [or, of the preachers] Psalm 68:11 |
No. 38
Air
Soprano or Alto
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"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things" Romans 10:15 |
31 |
The Gospel Message, glad Tidings
[As it is written], How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15 |
No. 39
Chorus |
"Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world" Romans 10:18 |
32 |
The Progress of the Gospel
Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world. Romans 10:18 |
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Discipling Of The Nations At The Second Advent Of Messiah |
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No. 40
Air
Bass
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"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" Psalms 2:1-2 |
33 |
Opposition to Messiah unreasonable
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed; saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. Psalm 2:1-3 |
No. 41
Chorus |
"Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us" Psalm 2:3 |
No. 42
Recit.
Tenor
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"He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision" Psalm 2:4 |
34 |
Opposition to Messiah in vain
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Psalm 2:4 |
No. 43
Air
Tenor
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"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel" Psalm 2:9 |
35 |
Opposition to Messiah ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Psalm 2:9 |
No. 44
Chorus
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"HALLELUYAH: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth" Rev. 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" Rev. 11:15
"King of kings, and Lord of lords. HALLELUYAH!" Rev. 19:16 |
36 |
The Lord reigneth
Hallelujah; for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! Revelation 19:6 |
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37 |
The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
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
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38 |
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords
[And he hath on his vesture, and on his thigh, a name written]
King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16 |
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Part 3 |
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No. 45
Air
Sporano
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"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." Job 19:25-26
"For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep."
1 Corinthians 15:20 |
39 |
Job’s Faith and Expectation
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand in the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Job 19:25,26 |
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40 |
The Lord is Risen Indeed
But now the Lord is risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:20 |
No. 46
Chorus |
"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 |
41 |
Death By Adam, Life By Christ
For 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 |
No. 47
Accomp.
Bass
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"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."
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 |
42 |
The general Resurrection
Behold, I show 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 trump, for 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 15:51-53 |
No. 48
Air
Bass
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"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 |
No. 49
Recit.
Alto
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"Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"
1 Corinthians 15:54 |
43 |
Death Swallowed Up in Victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written
Death is swallowed up in victory! 1 Corinthians 15:54 |
No. 50
Duet
Alto & Tenor
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"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 |
44 |
Triumph Over Death and the Grave
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. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 |
No. 51
Chorus |
"But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 |
No. 52
Air
Soprano Alto
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"If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
"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." Romans 8:33-34 |
45 |
Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we then say to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 |
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46 |
Accusers Challenged
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:33 |
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47 |
The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! Romans 8:34 |
No. 53
Chorus |
"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 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 5:12-14 |
48 |
The Song of the Redeemed
_Thou _ hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood [out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation] Revelation 5:9 |
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49 |
The Chorus of Angels
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing! Revelation 5:12
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50 |
The Universal Chorus
[And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I, saying,] Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that stteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Revelation 5:13 |
