Lent - Day 28: Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power,

And riches and wisdom and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

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, I heard saying:

Blessings and honor and glory and power

Be unto Him that sits on the throne,

And unto the Lamb forever and ever.

Revelation 5:12-13

Librettist Charles Jennens, who was a close friend and collaborator with Handel, used biblical prophecies and stories of Jesus for the Messiah's text.  Jennens described his work as a "meditation of our Lord as Messiah in Christian thought and belief."

Handel wrote the original version of the Messiah in three to four weeks.  Most historic accounts estimate the composer spent only 24 days writing the completely orchestrated,  259-page oratorio.  Our music today is the closing chorus of this magnificent work - a gift of God to humanity.

 

Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain

Handel’s Messiah, Part 3, Chorus 53

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir