FIRST PART
1. Symphony
2. Recitative Tenor
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 crieth in the Wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
1. Symphony
2. Tenor Recitative
Comfort yourselves, comfort yourselves, my people, says your God; speak to the heart of Jerusalem; tell him out loud that his time has come, that his sin is forgiven.
Voice that cries in the desert: prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths in the desert for our God.
3. Tenor Aria
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
3. Tenor Aria
Every valley will be elevated, and every mountain made low; let the crooked be made straight, and the rough things made smooth (Isaiah 40:5)
4. Chorus
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall be seen together: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
4. Chorus
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see together that the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 40:5)
5. Recitative Bass
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.
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.
5. Low Recitative
For thus says the Lord of hosts: From now on I will shake the heavens and the earth, and the sea and the continents; I will shake all nations and the desire of all people will be fulfilled. (Haggai, 2:6-7)
The Lord you seek will soon come to his temple, like the messenger of the covenant, whom you worship. (Malachi, 3:1).
6. Bass Aria
But who may abide the day of His Coming, and who shall stand when He appears? For He like a refiner's fire.
6. Bass Aria
And who will endure the day of His coming and who will stand when He appears? Because He is like the purifying fire. (Malachi 3:2).
7. Chorus
And He Shall Purify the sons of Levi, That They may offer unto the Lord an Offering in righteousness.
7. Chorus
And He will purify the sons of Levy, so that they may offer to the Lord an offering of Righteousness. (Malachi 3:3).
8. Alto Recitative
Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel: God with us.
8. Alto Recitative
Behold! A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will name him Immanuel: God with us. (Isaiah 7:4, Matthew 1-23).
9. Alto Aria and Chorus
O thou that tallest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O Thou that tallest 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, arise, shine, for light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
9. Alto Aria and Chorus
Oh, you who brought good news to Zion, get up on a high mountain! Oh, you who announced good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice loudly! Raise it, don't be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah: Praise your God. Arise, shine! for the light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen above you.” (Isaiah, 40:6 and 60:2-3).
10. Recitative Bass
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 him, and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings the brightness of that rising.
10. Low Recitative
Behold, darkness will cover the earth and darkness the people; but the Lord will rise above you, and his glory will be seen over you. And the Gentiles will come to his light, and the kings to the splendor of his birth. (Isaiah, 60:2-3).
11. Bass Aria
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light: and they that well in the land of the shadow of death, upon them have the light shined.
11. Bass Aria
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; and on those who dwelt in the land of the shadows of death, light will shine.
(Isaiah, 9:2).
12. Chorus
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.
12. Chorus
For to us a child is born, a son is given to us, and the government will fall upon his shoulders; and he will be called: Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah,9:6).
13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
14. Recitative Soprano
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And what! The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid.
Recitative Soprano
And the angel said to 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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Recitative Soprano
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:
13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
14. Soprano Recitative
There were shepherds in the field, watching over their flocks at night. (Luke, 2:8). And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of God shone around them; and they were greatly afraid. (Luke, 2:9).
Soprano Recitative
And the Angel said to them: “Do not fear, for behold, I give you tidings of great joy for all the people. For today a Savior has been born among you in the city of David; which is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke, 2:10-11).
Soprano Recitative
Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying: (Luke, 2:13).
15. Chorus
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.
15. Chorus
“Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will!” (Luke, 2:14).
16. Aria Soprano
Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion, shout, o daughter of Jerusalem: behold, they king cometh unto. He is the righteous Savior, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
16. Aria Soprano
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem, for your king has come to you. He is the righteous Savior; and he will speak peace to the pagans. (Zechariah, 9:9-10).
17. Alto Recitative
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.
17. Alto Recitative
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be opened. Then the lame will leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb will sing. (Zechariah, 35:5-6).
18. Aria Soprano and 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.
Come unto Him, all ye that labor 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.
18. Aria Soprano and Alto
Like a shepherd he will feed his flock; in his arm he will gather the lambs and in his lap he will carry them; and will gently guide the young ones.
(Isaiah, 40-11).
Come to Him, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke with you and learn from Him, for He is meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest in your souls. (Matthew, 11:28-29).
19. Chorus
His yoke is easy and His brothen is light.
19. Chorus
His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)
SECOND PART
20. Chorus
Behold the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world.
20. Chorus
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (John, 1:29).
21. Aria Alto
He was despaired and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.
He gave His back to the smiters an His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.
21. Aria Alto
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and wrought with anguish.
He offered his back to those who whipped him, his cheeks to those who pulled out his hair, and he did not hide his face from the insults or the spitting.
(Isaiah 50:6)
22. Chorus
Surely he has 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.
22. Chorus
Certainly He bore our anguish and suffered our sorrows; He was wounded for our transgressions, He was torn apart for our perversity: the saving punishment weighed upon Him. (Isaiah, 53:4-5).
23. Chorus
And with His stripes we are healed.
23. Chorus
And with his scars we were healed. (Isaiah, 53:6)
24. Chorus
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned each one to his own way; and The Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
24. Chorus
All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord laid upon Him the sin of us all. (Isaiah, 53:6).
25. Recitative Tenor
All we see Him, laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:
25. Tenor Recitative
All who see him laugh and despise him open their lips and shake their heads saying: (Psalm, 22:7).
26. Chorus
He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; if I delight in Him.
26. Chorus
“He trusted in God, that He would deliver him; that He would save him; for he says that it is pleasing to him.” (Psalm, 22:8)
27. Recitative Tenor
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.
27. Tenor Recitative
Your reproach has broken His heart. He is full of sadness. He looked for someone to feel sorry for Him and found no one to comfort Him. (Psalms, 69-20).
28. Tenor Aria
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.
28. Tenor Aria
Look and see if there is pain like His pain. (Jeremiah's Lamentations, 1:12)
29. Recitative Tenor
He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of thy people was His stricken.
29. Tenor Recitative
He was banished from the land of the living; Because of the rebellion of your people he was wounded. (Isaiah, 53:8).
30. Tenor Aria
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.
30. Tenor Aria
But You did not leave His soul in hell; nor did you make your Holy son suffer by seeing corruption. (Psalm, 16:10)
31. Chorus
Lift up your heads, or 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 this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of GIory.
31. Chorus
Lift up your heads, O doors, and lift up yourselves, eternal doors, and the King of glory will enter. Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and brave, the Lord powerful in battle. Lift up your heads, and be lifted up, eternal doors. And the King of glory will enter. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:7-10).
32. Tenor Recitative
Unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?
32. Tenor Recitative
Before which of the angels did He ever say: “You are my son, today I have begotten you”? (Hebrews 1:5).
33.Chorus
Let all the angels of God worship Him
33. Chorus
Let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6)
34. Bass Aria
Thou art gone up on high, Thou has led captivity captive and received gifts for men; yea, even for Thine enemies rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
34. Bass Aria
You have ascended on high, made captivity captive, and received gifts for men, even for Your rebellious enemies, so that the Lord God may dwell among them. (Psalm 68:18).
35. Chorus
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of the preachers.
35. Chorus
The Lord gave his word: great was the company of the preachers. (Psalm 68:11).
36. Soprano Aria
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.
36. Soprano Aria
How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of peace, and bring good news. (Romans 10:15)
37. Bass Aria
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.
37. Bass Aria
Why do nations riot furiously and why do people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth arise, and together with the rulers they will unite, against The Lord and against His Anointed.
(Psalm, 2: 1-2).
38. Chorus
Let us break their bonds asunder; and cast away their yokes from us.
38. Chorus
Let us break their chains and cast their bonds far from us. (Psalm, 2:3).
39. Tenor Recitative
He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn: the Lord shall have them in derision.
39. Tenor Recitative
The Sovereign of heaven laughs at them with contempt: the Lord mocks them. (Psalm 2:4).
40. Tenor Aria
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
40. Tenor Aria
You will break them with a rod of iron: you will break them into pieces like a potter's vessel.
41. Chorus
Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever. King of Kings, and Lord of lords. Hallelujah!
41. Chorus
Hallelujah! Because the Lord God Almighty reigns. The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah! (Revelation, 19:6-11:5).
THIRD PART
42. Soprano Aria
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.
For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep.
42. Soprano Aria
I know that my Redeemer lives, and will rise upon the earth on the last day; and although the worms destroy this body, in my own flesh I will see God. (Job, 19:25-26).
For now Christ has risen from the dead; firstfruits for those who still sleep. (Corinthians, 15:20).
43. 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.
43. Chorus
Just as death came through a man, so will the resurrection of the dead come through a man. For if in Adam we all died, so in Christ all will be made alive. (Corinthians 15:21:22).
44. Recitative Bass
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.
44. Low Recitative
Behold, I will reveal to you a secret a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will be transformed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, with the last trumpet. (Corinthians, 15:21-52).
45. Bass Aria
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.
45. Bass Aria
The trumpet will sound, and the dead will rise uncorrupted, and we will be changed. For the corruptible will become incorruptible, and the mortal will become immortal. (Corinthians, 15:52-53).
46. Alto Recitative
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
46. Alto Recitative
Then what is written will be fulfilled: Death will become victory! (Corinthians 15:54)
48. Alto and Tenor Duo
O death, where is your sting? O serious, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
48. Alto and Tenor Duo
Oh death! where is your sting? Oh death! where is your victory? The sting of death is sin and the defense against sin is the law.
49. Chorus
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
49. Chorus
Thank God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Corinthians 15:57)
50. Aria Soprano
If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifies. 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.
50. Aria Soprano
If God is with us, who can be against us? Who will accuse God's chosen ones? God is the one who judges us. Who is he who condemns us? It is Christ who died, even more, who was resurrected, and who is at the right hand of God, who intercedes for us. (Romans,8:31,33-34).
51. 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 honor, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honor; glory and power; be unto Him that sitth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever and ever.
Amen.
51. Choir
Worthy is The Lamb who was sacrificed and redeemed us before God with His blood; He is worthy to take power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. May praise and honor, glory and power be to Him, who sits on the throne and in the Lamb, forever and ever.
(Revelation 5:9 and 12-13).
Amen.