For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

On Saturday evening, Patrina and I were invited to attend the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s Messiah. Most of us are familiar with the Hallelujah Chorus, but as I read through the lyrics in the printed program for the performance, I was struck by just how much Scripture is included. In fact, every line is take directly from the King James Bible.

There were some sitting in Music Hall who have probably never heard a complete presentation of the Gospel, but the man who wrote the lyrics for Handel’s masterpiece, Charles Jennens, “was concerned with the emergence of Deism within the Church of England. Deism rejected the idea of God’s intervention in human affairs and, with it, the inspiration of scripture. Since its first performance in Dublin in 1742, Jennens’ exercise in what can accurately be called scriptural apologetics has become the most beloved choral work in history”, according to an article penned by Eric Metaxas.

The verses above from Isaiah’s prophecy are just an example of the direct quotes from Job, Isaiah, Luke, Matthew, Zechariah, Psalms, Hebrews, Romans, Revelation, I Corinthians to the the story of Jesus’ prophetic birth and life, death and resurrection.

And so the one of the most honored choral works in history is also one of the clearest examples of an evangelistic tool.

King of kings forever and ever
And Lord of lords hallelujah hallelujah
And he shall reign forever and ever
King of kings and Lord of lords
King of kings and Lord of lords
And he shall reign forever and ever

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!