Comfort Ye My People (Handel’s Messiah) lyric video - Andre Steele

Описание: Messiah, by the great Baroque composer George Friderick Handel is an oratorio (a religious musical work intended for performance in a public theatre or concert). First performed in Dublin in April of 1742, it was originally an Easter work, but has come to be performed more regularly at Christmas.

The composer, Handel, although German, settled in London permanently in 1712 and was a favourite of King George (the Hanoverian). He is said to have written Messiah, in its entirety, in 24 days. Its many well known recits, arias and choruses are beloved and inspired.

I’ve loved this work for many years and the recitative (the equivalent of spoken dialogue in an opera or oratorio), Comfort Ye and the aria (song) that follows it, (Ev’ry Valley), are particular favourites, being written for tenor voice and being songs that I often practised when younger. However, the entire oratorio is a gem.

I love the fact that this song - the entire work in fact - is based so closely on scripture. The words of Comfort Ye are taken directly from Isaiah chapter 40 verses 1 -3.

Isaiah 40:1-3 KJV
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. [2] Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. [3] 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.

I haven’t primarily chosen to sing this song because of its familiarity, but because I think it’s really relevant for the ages and has resonance now:

God is still speaking. If we listen to his voice, take heed to his word, turn from our sins and follow Him, we shall be led in paths of righteousness, peace and joy. He shall comfort his people! We have this wonderful hope in God, the one who succours and sustains us. God wants to be our comfort and speaks encouragingly to all of us who have been in life’s warfare. There is rest in Him!

Come into God’s rest and be ye comforted!

Praise be to God!