"Hallelujah"

"Hallelujah" is considered the most joyful word of praise to God, rather than an injunction to praise Him.

George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) wrote the "Messiah."
The composer was in despair. Struggling to earn a living in London, he knew there would be days when he could not afford to buy meals. One night in 1741, depressed and defeated, he wandered the lonely streets; it was almost dawn when he returned to his shabby room. On a table was a thick envelope. It was from Charles Jennens, the man who wrote his librettos. Examining the pages, he found them covered with Scripture texts.

Wearily, he tossed the pages aside and crawled into bed. But he could not sleep. The words he had read returned to him:

"Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God...The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light...For unto us a Child is born...Glory to God in the highest...Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"

Too stirred to sleep, he got up and went to his piano. The music flowed from his heart, and he began to write. Night and day for three weeks, he wrote feverishly. He forgot sleep, food, rest, and refused to see anyone. At last, on the day the work was finished, one friend managed to gain entrance into his home, and this is what he found.

The composer was at his piano, sheets of music strewn around him, tears streaming down his face and he said, "I do believe I have seen all of Heaven before me, and the great God himself."

The first audience to hear the composition--was in Dublin in 1742, which gave it the greatest ovation in the city's history. Weeks later, London heard it for the first time, and again it was a triumph. The King was so impressed during the Hallelujah chorus that he rose to his feet--a custom that still prevails. The text is taken from the Bible and forms a dramatic commentary on the whole prophecy and fullfillment of the redemption of man. It is in three parts:
1) The prophecy and coming of the Messiah.
2) The redemption of mankind through the sacrifice of Jesus.
3) The Thanksgiving for the ultimate defeat of death through faith in the Kingdom of God.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world is become
the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever

King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever

King of Kings
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

and He shall reign for ever and ever,
for ever and ever,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords,
and He shall reign for ever and ever,

King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!