Handel was truly inspired by God as he composed The Messiah. And no music surpasses the glory and love for God in the way expressed in the Hallelujah Chorus. This hymn meditation asks the probing question, “Is Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords in your life?”
In 1996, the U. S. Navy ship on which our son was assigned returned from a combat cruise in the Gulf War. As the USS LaBoon (destroyer) pulled into port in Norfolk, they were playing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. It was an incredible experience for us and a relief that the crew (including our son and future daughter-in-law) had returned safely to their home port.
The Hallelujah Chorus is the most famous component of Messiah, a 260 page oratorio which George Frederick Handel began writing on August 22, 1741 and completed in only 24 days. During this composition he often went without food or sleep for long periods of time. His assistants would often find him in tears as he was writing. When he completed the Hallelujah Chorus, it is reported that he said, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.”
A musical genius
There are extensive writings about the life of George Frederic Handel. So, I’ll just provide some highlights and then move on to our meditation. He was born in Halle, Germany on February 25, 1685 (the same year Johann Sebastian Bach was born). He was educated at the Gymnasium in Halle. Early in his life, he surprised everyone with his playing of the organ in the palace chapel of the Holy Trinity.
His father was persuaded to provide Handel with music lessons. The young Handel came under the tutelage of Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, the organist at the Halle parish church. Zachow would be Handel’s only music teacher. At the University of Halle, Handel came to know Georg Philipp Telemann who was also a composer and musician. They both studied the writings of Johann Kuhnau.
Thomas Hudson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Handel’s works include 42 operas, 25 oratorios, more than 120 cantatas, trios and duets, a numberof arias, chamber music, a large number of ecumenical pieces, odes and serenatas, 18 concerti grossi and 12 organ concertos.
In 1750, he was seriously injured in a carriage accident on the way from Germany back to London. The last musical performance he attended was of Messiah. He died in 1759, at age 74, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Hallelujah Chorus – The Biblical background
The primary biblical texts for the Hallelujah Chorus are from Revelation, chapter 19, verses 6 and 16, and chapter 11, verse 15. Several phrases in the lyrics are repeated a number of times:
Hallelujah
King of kings
Lord of lords
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
And He shall reign forever and ever
The lyrics clearly focus on two anointed names for Christ: (1) King of kings and (2) Lord of lords. First, we will look at three Old Testament anointed names/functions from God for His servants. Then, we will end with a question for meditation.
Prophets, Priests and Kings
In the Old Testament, we find God calling out and anointing His chosen ones for three main functions . . . prophets, priests, and kings. He used the prophets to speak to Israel and to us through them. Numerous examples of that are found in the Old Testament. We can name a few of the most well-known: Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Micah. Hebrews chapter 1 begins with these words; “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways.”
The phrase “God spoke” is so important! How many other gods speak? But, our God speaks to us . . . in various ways. Most importantly, He speaks to us through the Bible . . . His Word.
We also find in the Old Testament the sacrificial system. Because the people of God did not obey His laws, He required sacrifices to atone for their sins. So, the priests were anointed to bring sacrifices from the people before God. However, these sacrifices were not sufficient to atone for their sins once and for all. So, they had to do this on a routine basis . . . day after day and year after year. This was a constant reminder to the people that they were not obeying God.
In Exodus chapter 40 beginning with verse 12, Moses records the anointing of Aaron as such a priest.
Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest. Bring his sons and dress them in tunics. Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.” Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.
Exodus 40: 12-16
Finally, we see in the Old Testament the people’s desire for a king. Samuel was Israel’s last judge and their leader. He protected them from their adversaries. But, as he grew older, the people wanted Samuel to appoint a king for them. Samuel was reluctant and prayed to God for wisdom and help. The following record from 1 Samuel 8:6 – 9 describes this situation.
But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.
1 Samuel 8: 6-9
So, Samuel obeyed God and the first king of Israel, Saul, was anointed to serve. Things did not end well for Saul and he was replaced by David. Although David was “a man after God’s own heart,” he had some serious difficulties during his reign. His son, Solomon, was also anointed king. Solomon’s life did not end well in the eyes of God. Thus began the line of kings for the nation of Israel. The record of her kings is not good as recorded in the history books of the Old Testament.
Now let’s move to the New Testament . . . to the time of Jesus and look at these three functions . . . prophet, priest, and king. Perhaps the most famous named prophet in the New Testament is John the Baptist although there were others.
The priests continued their work during this time period as recorded in the New Testament. We clearly remember the priest who happened by in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). As for a king, the nation was under Roman rule and they were eagerly awaiting their own king. Into this situation comes Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Hebrews 1:1 – 4 describes His role as all three . . . prophet, priest, and king.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1: 1-4
Jesus fulfilled each role.
- God spoke to us through Jesus . . . the ultimate Prophet
- He provided purification for our sins . . . the ultimate Priest
- He sits at the right hand of God . . . our King
In the Hallelujah Chorus we find the clear theme of king in the phrase King of kings and in the term reign(eth). Given this theme, our question for meditation is,
How did Jesus fulfill the role of king during His time on earth and how do we view Him as a king today?
In New Testament times, Jesus was viewed by the disciples as the Messiah, the savior. Their view (hope) was for a king in the lineage of David. They wanted a king to conquer their enemies, deliver them from Roman rule, make them prosperous again, and to bring to fruition all the blessings promised for their nation in the Old Testament. When He entered Jerusalem that last week, Jesus was received by the Jewish people with a reception that reflected their hopes.
But to the Jewish rulers, He was not a king. He was a blasphemer. He claimed to be the Son of God. They hated Him and plotted to have Him killed.
To the Romans, He was a joke. They ridiculed Him as “King of the Jews.” They mocked Him saying in effect; “If you are a king, then save yourself.”
To a few of His followers, He was viewed as the King, Son of God, Lord and Savior. For example, Nathanael declared Him to be the King of Israel in John 1:49. So, in His day, He was viewed one of four different ways:
- Earthly king
- Blasphemer
- Joke
- Son of God, Lord and Savior
Which of His followers are we like?
What about today? How do we view Him? What kind of King do we want?
Today, the notion of a king to submit to is not very popular. Submission/authority is under a great deal of attack. I suggest the following ways He is viewed today.
- He is not real . . . He did not exist.
- He is ignored . . . He existed but that does not matter today.
- He exists to make my life better . . . I call on Him . . . He delivers.
- He is a task master for whom I work to get my reward (older Brother).
- He is the Son of God, Lord and Savior.
In our time, many have concluded that He is the real, one, and only King. Charles Wesley, as an example, got it as he penned the words to Hark he Herald Angels Sing. The first verse includes, “Glory to the new-born King.”
Jesus Himself provides unshakable testimony to His kingship in Matthew 25 as He describes His second coming. He indicates that all the people will be gathered before Him. He will separate them into two groups: (1) righteous, and (2) unrighteous. Then He says (referring to Himself), “the King will say to those on the right . . . .”
A closing prayer
I hope and pray that we will consider this question of the kingship of Jesus as the most fundamental question of our lives. And, I pray that we will answer this question as the Hallelujah Chorus thunders forth.
King of kings
Lord of lords
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
Amen!
Hymns for Him 