Unless stated otherwise, my source for hymn texts and tunes is The Lutheran Service Book.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Messiah: No. 9 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion

The text is from Isaiah 40:9:  "Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'" and from Isaiah 60:1:  "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you."

The "lift[ing] up" mentioned in this section is emphasized by a rising melody.


Similarly, the "arise"s have an upward trend.