Charles Jennens. Messiah. An oratorio. As it is perform'd at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. Set to musick by Mr. Handel. London, 1749? Shelfmark 159–150q. Folger Shakespeare Library.

O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

Drew Minter, countertenor. Live audio recording from performances by the Folger Consort and the Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford, at the National Building Museum, Washington, DC, December 20, 21, and 22, 1993.

From the King James Bible

Isaiah 40:9 (including marginal alternative translation) and Isaiah 60:1

The King James Bible translators sometimes included alternative translations in the margin. Here, Handel’s librettist Charles Jennens used that other version for musical reasons, choosing “O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion” (from the margin) instead of “O Zion, that bringest good tidings” (the primary translation). He did the same for the Jerusalem reference.

Charles Jennens. Messiah. An oratorio. As it is perform’d at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. Set to musick by Mr. Handel. London, 1749? Shelfmark 159–150q. Folger Shakespeare Library.