2017 Concert Series Messiah | Page 7

Recit Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. Recit And the angel said unto 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Air 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 labour, come unto Him that 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. Recit And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: Chorus Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men. Air Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. Chorus His yoke is easy, and His burthen is light. Interval PART TWO Chorus All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Chorus Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Air He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting. Recit All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying: Chorus “He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him.” Chorus Surely He hath 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. Recit 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. Chorus And with His stripes we are healed. 7