乔治·弗里德里希·亨德尔（George Friedrich Handel，1685-1759）和巴赫都是音乐史上巴洛克时期的集大成者。亨德尔在德国出生，27岁时（1712年）到英国定居，成为一名英籍德国作曲家。他的作品多产而全面，仅清唱剧就作有27部之多，其中最著名，最优秀的当属《弥赛亚》。
《弥赛亚》是亨德尔移居英国多年后创作的，歌词用英语。“弥赛亚”一词在希伯来语中原意是“受膏者”，指上帝所选中的人。这部清唱剧的标题就是指耶稣基督（中文也有简单翻译成“救世主”的）。清唱剧的脚本（歌词）由查尔斯 詹恩斯（Charles Jennens）撰写，主要根据《圣经》英文版等材料中有关基督的内容，包括基督的诞生，受难，复活等，但不重情节，多有感叹和赞颂。
结构有三大部分，共53段组成：
第一部分：主要讲基督的诞生（21段）
第二部分：主要讲基督的受难（23段）
第三部分：主要讲基督的复活（9段）
全曲用时约两个半小时左右。全部歌词见本文后的附录。
全曲包括合唱，不同声部的独唱，重唱，以及少数独立的器乐部分。在乐队方面使用乐器的种类和数量，从原谱到数次实际演出是有所变动和增加的。下面是1754年亨德尔在伦敦最后一次指挥《弥赛亚》时的乐队编制：15把小提琴， 5把中提琴， 3把大提琴，两把低音提琴，4支双簧管，4支大管，两支小号，两支圆号，一组定音鼓；合唱团由四个声部19人组成。后来莫扎特等作曲家曾先后为《弥赛亚》修订并扩大乐队配器。
《弥撒亚》是亨德尔最杰出的作品之一，据说是全世界演出最多的清唱剧。
关于这部作品的更多信息，英文见维基百科：
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah_(Handel)
中文见百度百科：
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%BC%A5%E8%B5%9B%E4%BA%9A/3125682#viewPageContent
下面是第二部分的终曲合唱“哈利路亚” （Hallelujah），这是整部作品中最著名的唱段。“哈利路亚” 一词源自希伯来语，意为“（让我们）赞美耶和华”或“赞美主”，后成为基督教的常用祷文之一。据说《弥赛亚》1943年在伦敦公演时，当进行到这首“哈里路亚”时，观演的英王乔治二世肃然起立，于是全场观众也随之起立。据说此后形成了一个惯例，即演出到这首合唱时，观众起立（但这也不绝对，如本文最后那个现代乐队表演的全曲音像，唱到这首歌的时候，可以看到有的观众并没有起立，台上的四位独唱者也没有起立）。下面这段音像由英国皇家合唱协会（Royal Choral Society）和皇家爱乐乐团（Royal Philharmonic Orchestra）于2012年演出，用现代乐队。
Royal Choral Society: 'Hallelujah Chorus' from Handel's Messiah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c&ab_channel=RoyalChoralSoc
下面是作品的完整音像，由英国西敏寺大教堂唱诗班，英国古乐学会乐团（Academy of Ancient Music）于 2005年演出版，克里斯托弗•霍格伍德（Christopher Hogwood）指挥，用仿古方式：
Soloists:
Simon Preston
Judith Nelson
Emma Kikrby
Carolyn Watkinson
Paul Elliott
David Thomas
Haendel Messiah Christopher Hogwood Academy of Ancient Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdlyoEpCV9k&ab_channel=SopranoHaendel
下面是用现代乐队演出的《弥撒亚》全曲，由英国伦敦交响乐团及合唱对于 2007 年演出，科林 戴维斯爵士（Sir Colin Davis）指挥：
Soloists：
Susan Gritton
Sara Mingardo
Mark Padmore
Alastair Miles.
Messiah - A Sacred Oratorio, Handel - conducted by Sir Colin Davis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuGSOkYWfDQ&ab_channel=itis4peace
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附录：转帖：
https://www.sin80.com/work/handel-messiah-hwv56
亨德尔《弥赛亚》歌词英中对照
注意：圣经经文之中文翻译，以中文《和合本》圣经文本之经文作为标准；
中文和合本圣经之经文已经超过版权保护期，属于公有领域。
第一部分
1. 交响乐（序曲）4'47"
2. 你们要安慰，我的百姓（男高音）3'38"
| Isaiah 40:1-3 | 以赛亚书40:1-3 |
| Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplishèd, that her iniquity is pardoned. | 你们的 神说，你们要安慰，安慰我的百姓。 要对耶路撒冷说安慰的话，又向他宣告说，他争战的日子已满了，他的罪孽赦免了，他为自己的一切罪，从耶和华手中加倍受罚。 |
3. 一切山洼都要填满（男高音）3'30"
| Isaiah 40:4 | 以赛亚书40:4 |
| Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight, and the rough places plain. | 一切山洼都要填满，大小山冈都要削平，高高低低的要改为平坦，崎崎岖岖的必成为平原。 |
4. 耶和华的荣耀（合唱）3'36"
| Isaiah 40:5 | 以赛亚书40:5 |
| And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. | 耶和华的荣耀必然显现、凡有血气的、必一同看见、因为这是耶和华亲口说的。 |
5. 万军之耶和华如此说 (男低音) 1'52"
| Haggai 2:6-7 | 哈该书 2:6-7 |
| Thus saith the Lord of Hosts: Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land and I will shake all nations;and the desire of all nations shall come. | 万军之耶和华如此说、过不多时我必再一次震动天地、沧海、与旱地． 我必震动万国．万国的珍宝、必都运来．〔或作万国所羡慕的必来到〕我就使这殿满了荣耀．这是万军之耶和华说的。 |
| Malachi 3:1 | 玛拉基书3:1 |
| The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. | 万军之耶和华说、我要差遣我的使者、在我前面预备道路．你们所寻求的主、必忽然进入他的殿．立约的使者、就是你们所仰慕的、快要来到。 |
6. 谁能当得起呢 (女低音) 5'01"
| Malachi 3:2 | 玛拉基书3:2 |
| But who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire. | 他来的日子、谁能当得起呢．他显现的时候、谁能立得住呢．因为他如炼金之人的火、如漂布之人的碱。 |
7. 他必要洁净（合唱）3'31"
| Malachi 3:3 | 玛拉基书3:3 |
| And He shall purify the sons of Levy, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness. | 他必要洁净，那利未的子孙，他们就凭着公义奉献将供物献给耶和华，奉献给主。 |
8. 因此、必有童女怀孕生子 (女低音) 0'43"
| Isaiah 7:14 | 以赛亚书 7:14 |
| Behold! A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, | 因此、主自己要给你们一个兆头、必有童女怀孕生子、给他起名叫以马内利。 |
| Matthew 1:23 | 马太福音1:23 |
| God with us. | 神与我们同在 |
9. 传报好信息给锡安（合唱）7'22"
| Isaiah 40:9 | 以赛亚书 40:9 |
| O thou that tellest good tidings of Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. | 传报好消息给锡安，你要攀登那峻岭高山！传报好消息给耶路撒冷的，你当竭力扬声，不要惧怕！对犹太满城宣告说：请看你的主！兴起照耀你的光来临，耶和华的荣耀正显现照耀你。 |
10. 看哪、黑暗遮盖大地 (男低音) 2'59"
| Isaiah 60:2-3 | 以赛亚书 60:2-3 |
| For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee and His glory shall be seen upon thee, and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. | 看哪、黑暗遮盖大地、幽暗遮盖万民。耶和华却要显现照耀你、他的荣耀要现在你身上。 万国要来就你的光、君王要来就你发现的光辉。 |
11. 在黑暗中行走的百姓 (男低音) 4'51"
| Isaiah 9:2 | 以赛亚书 9:2 |
| The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. | 在黑暗中行走的百姓、看见了大光。住在死荫之地的人、有光照耀他们。 |
12. 因有一婴孩为我们而生 (合唱) 4'49"
| Isaiah 9:6 | 以赛亚书 9:6 |
| For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. | 因有一婴孩为我们而生、有一子赐给我们．政权必担在他的肩头上．他名称为奇妙、策士、全能的神、永在的父、和平的君。 |
13. 风笛曲 (田园交响曲，器乐) 4'37"
14. 有牧羊的人 (女高音) 0'59"
| Luke 2:8-9 | 路加福音 2:8-9 |
| There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. | 在伯利恒之野地里有牧羊的人、夜间按著更次看守羊群。 有主的使者站在他们旁边、主的荣光四面照着他们．牧羊的人就甚惧怕。 |
15. 那天使对他们说 (女高音) 0'53"
| Luke 2:10-11 | 路加福音 2:10-11 |
| And the Angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. | 那天使对他们说、不要惧怕、我报给你们大喜的信息、是关乎万民的． 因今天在大卫的城里、为你们生了救主、就是主基督。 |
16. 忽然那天使 (女高音) 0'21"
| Luke 2:13 | 路加福音 2:13 |
| And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: | 忽然有一大队天兵、同那天使赞美 神说、 |
17. 在至高之处荣耀归与神 (合唱) 2'17"
| Luke 2:14 | 路加福音 2:14 |
| Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men. | 在至高之处荣耀归与 神、在地上平安归与他所喜悦的人。 |
18. 锡安的民哪、应当大大喜乐 (女高音) 4'32"
| Zechariah 9:9-10 | 撒迦利亚书 9:9-10 |
| Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee! He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. | 锡安的民哪、应当大大喜乐．耶路撒冷的民哪、应当欢呼．看哪、你的王来到你这里．他是公义的、并且施行拯救 他必向列国讲和平． |
19. 那时瞎子的眼必睁开 (女低音) 0'31"
| Isaiah 35:5-6 | 以赛亚书 35:5-6 |
| Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. | 那时瞎子的眼必睁开、聋子的耳必开通。 那时瘸子必跳跃像鹿、哑吧的舌头必能歌唱． |
20. 他必牧养自己的羊群 (女低音及女高音) 6'12"
| Isaiah 40:11 | 以赛亚书 40:11 |
| He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, and He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. | 他必像牧人牧养自己的羊群、用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中、慢慢引导那乳养小羊的。 |
| Matthew 11:28-29 | 马太福音 11:28-29 |
| Come unto him, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. | 凡劳苦担重担的人、可以到我这里来、我就使你们得安息。 我心里柔和谦卑、你们当负我的轭、学我的样式、这样、你们心里就必得享安息。 |
21. 我的轭是容易的 (合唱) 3'03"
| Matthew 11:30 | 马太福音 11:30 |
| His yoke is easy, and His burthen is light. | 因为我的轭是容易的、我的担子是轻省的。 |
第二部分
22. 看哪、神的羔羊 (合唱)
| John 1:29 | 约翰福音 1:29 |
| Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. | 看哪、 神的羔羊、除去〔或作背负〕世人罪孽的。 |
23. 他被藐视 (女低音)
| Isaiah 53:3 | 以赛亚书 53:3 |
| He was despisèd and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. | 他被藐视、被人厌弃、多受痛苦、常经忧患。 |
| Isaiah 50:6 | 以赛亚书 50:6 |
| He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting. | 人打我的背、我任他打．人拔我腮颊的胡须、我由他拔．人辱我吐我、我并不掩面。 |
24. 他诚然担当我们的忧患 (合唱)
| Isaiah 53:4-5 | 以赛亚书 53:4-5 |
| Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. | 他诚然担当我们的忧患、背负我们的痛苦． 那知他为我们的过犯受害、为我们的罪孽压伤．因他受的刑罚我们得平安． |
25. 因他受的鞭伤我们得医治 (合唱)
| Isaiah 53:5 | 以赛亚书 53:5 |
| And with His stripes we are healèd. | 因他受的鞭伤我们得医治。 |
26. 我们都如羊 (合唱)
| Isaiah 53:6 | 以赛亚书 53:6 |
| All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turnèd every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. | 我们都如羊走迷、各人偏行己路．耶和华使我们众人的罪孽都归在 他身上。 |
27. 凡看见我的都嗤笑我 (男高音)
| Psalm 22:7 | 诗篇 22:7 |
| All they that see Him, laugh Him to scorn, they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads saying, | 凡看见我的都嗤笑我．他们撇嘴摇头、说, |
28. 他把自己交托耶和华、耶和华可以救他罢 (合唱)
| Psalm 22:8 | 诗篇 22:8 |
| He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him. | 他把自己交托耶和华、耶和华可以救他罢．耶和华既喜悦他、可以搭救他罢。 |
29. 辱骂伤破了我的心 (男高音)
| Psalm 69:20 | 诗篇 69:20 |
| Thy rebuke hath broken His heart; He is full of heaviness.He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man; neither found He any to comfort Him. | 辱骂伤破了我的心．我又满了忧愁．我指望有人体恤、却没有一个．我指望有人安慰、却找不着一个。 |
30. 你们要观看、有像这临到我的痛苦没有 (男高音)
| Lamentations 1:12 | 耶利米哀歌 1:12 |
| Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow. | 你们要观看、有像这临到我的痛苦没有、 |
31. 因受欺压和审判他被夺去 (男高音)
| Isaiah 53:8 | 以赛亚书 53:8 |
| He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of Thy people was He stricken. | 因受欺压和审判他被夺去．至于他同世的人、谁想他受鞭打、从活人之地被剪除、是因我百姓的罪过呢。 |
32. 因为你必不将我的灵魂撇在阴间 (男高音)
| Psalm 16:10 | 诗篇 16:10 |
| But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption. | 因为你必不将我的灵魂撇在阴间．也不叫你的圣者见朽坏。 |
33. 众城门哪、你们要抬起头来 (合唱)
| Psalm 24:7-10 | 诗篇 24:7-10 |
| Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory?The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. | 众城门哪、你们要抬起头来．永久的门户、你们要被举起．那荣耀的王将要进来。 荣耀的王是谁呢．就是有力有能的耶和华、在战场上有能的耶和华。 |
34. 所有的天使 (男高音) 0'26"
| Hebrews 1:5 | 希伯来书 1:5 |
| Unto which of the Angels said He at any time, Thou art My son, this day have I begotten thee? | 所有的天使、 神从来对那一个说、‘你是我的儿子、我今日生你。’ |
35. 神的使者都要拜他 (合唱) 1'37"
| Hebrews 1:6 | 希伯来书 1:65 |
| Let all the angels of God worship Him. | 神的使者都要拜他。 |
36. 你已经升上高天 (男低音) 3'59"
| Psalm 68:18 | 诗篇 68:18 |
| Thou art gone up on high; Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, yea, even from thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them. | 你已经升上高天、掳掠仇敌、你在人间、就是在悖逆的人间、受了供献、叫耶和华 神可以与他们同住。 |
37. 主发命令 (合唱) 1'12"
| Psalm 68:11 | 诗篇 68:11 |
| The Lord gave the word, great was the company of the preachers. | 主发命令、传好信息的妇女成了大群。 |
38. 他们的脚踪何等佳美 (女高音) 3'05"
| Romans 10:15 | 罗马书 10:15 |
| How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. | 报福音传喜信的人、他们的脚踪何等佳美。 |
39. 他们的声音传遍天下 (合唱) 1'43"
| Romans 10:18 | 罗马书 10:18 |
| Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world. | 他们的声音传遍天下、他们的言语传到地极。 |
40. 外邦为什么争闹 (男低音) 2'53"
| Psalms 2:1-2 | 诗篇 2:1-2 |
| Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people imagine a vain thing? | 外邦为什么争闹、万民为什么谋算虚妄的事。 世上的君王一齐起来、臣宰一同商议、要敌挡耶和华、并他的受膏者 |
41. 我们要挣开他们的捆绑 (合唱) 1'49"
| Psalms 2:3 | 诗篇 2:3 |
| Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us. | 我们要挣开他们的捆绑、脱去他们的绳索。 |
42. 那坐在天上的 (男高音) 0'22"
| Psalms 2:4 | 诗篇 2:4 |
| He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision. | 那坐在天上的必发笑．主必嗤笑他们。 |
43. 你必打破他们 (男高音) 2'10"
| Psalms 2:9 | 诗篇 2:9 |
| Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. | 你必用铁杖打破他们．你必将他们如同兜匠的瓦器摔碎。 |
44. 哈利路亚 (合唱) 3'32"
| Revelation 19:6 | 启示录 19:6 |
| Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. | 哈利路亚．因为主我们的 神、全能者、作王了。 |
| Revelation 11:15 | 启示录 11:15 |
| The Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. | 世上的国、成了我主和主基督的国．他要作王、直到永永远远。 |
| Revelation 19:16 | 启示录 19:16 |
| KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. | 万王之王、万主之主。 |
第三部分
45. 我知道我的救赎主活着 (女高音) 7'43"
| Job 19:25-26 | 约伯记 19:25-26 |
| I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. | 我知道我的救赎主活着、末了必站立在地上． 我这皮肉灭绝之后、我必在肉体之外得见 神。 |
| 1 Corinthians 15:20 | 哥林多前书 15:20 |
| For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep. | 但基督已经从死里复活、成为睡了之人初熟的果子。 |
46.死既是因一人而来 (合唱) 2'30"
| 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 | 哥林多前书 15:21-22 |
| Since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive. | 死既是因一人而来、死人复活也是因一人而来。 在亚当里众人都死了．照样、在基督里众人也都要复活。 |
47. 我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们 (男低音) 0'42"
| 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 | 哥林多前书 15:51-52 |
| Behold, I tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. | 我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们．我们不是都要睡觉、乃是都要改变 就在一霎时、眨眼之间、号筒末次吹响的时候． |
48. 因号筒要响 (男低音) 4'20"
| 1 Corinthians 15:52-53 | 哥林多前书 15:52-53 |
| The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. | 因号筒要响、死人要复活成为不朽坏的、我们也要改变。 这必朽坏的、总要变成不朽坏的．〔变成原文作穿下同〕这必死的、总要变成不死的。 |
49. 就应验了 (女低音) 0'21"
| 1 Corinthians 15:54 | 哥林多前书 15:54 |
| Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory! | 那时经上所记、死被得胜吞灭的话就应验了。 |
50. 死阿、你得胜的权势在那里 (女低音及男高音) 1'24"
| 1 Corinthians 15:55-56 | 哥林多前书 15:55-56 |
| O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. | 死阿、你得胜的权势在那里．死阿、你的毒钩在那里． 死的毒钩就是罪．罪的权势就是律法。 |
51. 感谢神 (合唱) 2'22"
| 1 Corinthians 15:57 | 哥林多前书 15:57 |
| But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | 感谢 神、使我们借着我们的主耶稣基督得胜。 |
52. 神若帮助我们 (女高音) 5'35"
| Romans 8:31 | 罗马书 8:31 |
| If God be for us, who can be against us? | 神若帮助我们、谁能敌挡我们呢。 |
| Romans 8:33-34 | 罗马书 8:33-34 |
| Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who makes intercession for us. | 谁能控告 神所拣选的人呢．有 神称他们为义了。〔或作是称他们为义的 神么〕 谁能定他们的罪呢．有基督耶稣已经死了、而且从死里复活、现今在 神的右边、也替我们祈求。〔有基督云云或作是已经死了而且从死里复活现今在 神的右边也替我们祈求的基督耶稣么〕 |
53. 羔羊是配得权柄 (合唱) 7'52"
| Revelation 5:12-14 | 启示录 5:12-14 |
| Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever | 曾被杀的羔羊、是配得权柄、丰富、智慧、能力、尊贵、荣耀、颂赞的。 但愿颂赞、尊贵、荣耀、权势、都归给坐宝座的和羔羊、直到永永远远。 |
