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

Monday, March 16, 2020

Messiah: No. 44 Hallelujah

The text is from Revelation 19:6:  "Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, 'Hallelujah!  For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.'" Revelation 11:15:  "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.'" and Revelation 19:16:  "On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of Lords."

A few of the "and He shall reign" phrases inscribe the cross figure, apparently to show that through Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, God has power over death: