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.

Worthy is the Lamb

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

Revelation 5:12, Revelation 5:9, more of Revelation 5:12, Revelation 5:13, and Revelation 5:14

Fittingly enough, the words for this final chorus of Messiah are sung or spoken by massed voices in the Bible, too. Most of the words quoted here are said “with a loud voice” by a hundred thousand angels; the line that Christ’s blood “hath redeemed us to God” (Revelation 5:9) is sung earlier by four beasts and 24 elders carrying harps.

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.