Meditations for Holy Week from Handel's Messiah

Thy rebuke hath broken His heart
Psalm 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 none; neither found He any to comfort Him.

Behold, and see if there be any sorrow
Lamentations 1:12

Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow. . .

He was cut off out of the land of the living
Isaiah 53:8b

He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of [Thy] people was He stricken.

But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell
Psalm 16:10 (Acts 2:27)

But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; neither didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates
Psalm 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.
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 of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.

This is a picture of the Golden (Mercy) Gate. It lies on the Eastern side of the Old City of Jerusalem and faces the Mount of Olives. According to the Jews, this is the gate spoken of in Psalm 24, through which Christ will return.

Related Tags: Messiah, Handel, Easter, scripture, The Mercy Gate, The Old City of Jerusalem, Mount of Olives

Comments

[lawyerchik1]

This has been such a beautiful series, Kim! I love the picture of the Golden Gate! I've never been to Israel, but I'd love to see it in person one of these days.... Happy Resurrection Day! :)

[Ann]

I'm singing The Messiah in my head as I read, it's good to be reminded of the Scripture, Thank you.