英文名稱
亨德爾彌撒亞介紹
樂曲有人聲,獨唱,合唱,各種管弦樂聲及管風琴穿插其間,XRCD版FIM<Messiah>的人聲和樂聲的真確度及布滿音場的空氣感簡直靚到前無古人,已經贏得眾音樂編輯的一致推崇.已被譽為當今彌賽亞的典範.FIM再次用原母帶重新以DSD制式製版.推出SACD版<Messiah>宏大的動態明顯更上一層,細緻更豐富.是最佳獨唱,對唱,樂器,大合唱的大型樂曲示範演錄.男高音人聲真摯清晰,感染力極高.女聲獨唱美不可言,合唱人聲似排山倒海氣勢逼人,懾人心脾....
First Impression Music SACD 039 2-disc set
Format
Super Audio Compact Disc - 2 layer hybrid disc.
DSD 2 channel stereo and HDCD format.
Plays on all SACD and CD Players !
Tracklist
Tracklist CD 1
SINFONIA (Grave. Allegro Moderato)
Comfort ye (Arioso, tenor)
Every valley (Air, tenor)
And the glory of the Lord (Chorus)
Thus saith the Lord (recitative, bass)
But who may abide (Air, countertenor)
And He shall purify (Chorus)
Behold, a virgin (Recitative, countertenor)
O thou that tellest (Air, countertenor & chorus)
For, behold (Recitative, bass)
The people that walked (Air, Bass)
For unto us a Child is born (Chorus)
Pifa
Thore were shepherds abiding
Glory to God (Chorus)
Rejoice greatly (Air, soprano)
Then shall the eyes (Recitative, countertenor)
He shall feed his flock (Duet, alto & soprano)
His yoke is easy (Chorus)
Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
He was despised (Air, countertenor)
Tracklist CD 2
Surely, He hath borne (Chorus)
And with His stripes (Chorus)
All we like sheep (Chorus)
All they that see Him (Recitative, tenor)
He trusted in God (Chorus)
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Recitative, soprano)
Behold, and see (Arioso, sporano)
He was cut out (Recitative, tenor)
But Thou didst not leave (Air, tenor)
Lift up your heads (Chorus)
Unto which of the angels said (Recitative, tenor)
Let all the angels (Chorus)
Thou art gone (Air, countertenor)
The Lord gave the word (Chorus)
How beautiful (Air, soprano)
Why do the nations (Air, bass)
Let us break their bonds (Chorus)
He that dwelleth (Recitative, tenor)
Thou shalt break them (Air, tenor)
Hallelujah (Chorus)
I know that my Redeemer liveth (Air, soprano)
Since byman came death (Chorus)
Behold, I tell you a mystery (Recitative, bass)
The trumpet shall sound (Air, bass)
Then shall be brought (Recitative, countertenor)
Worthy is the Lamb (Chorus)
amen
Musicians
Vocalists - Yvonne Kenny, Paul Esswood, Martin Hill and Magnus Linden
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Stockholm Bach Choir
Conductor - Anders 謍rwall
Audiophile
The music in this album is from a live recording of a concert of Handel抯 Messiah in Adolf Fredrik Church in Stockholm, Sweden on February 13 and 14, 1982 ?almost exactly 240 years after the first performance in Dublin, Ireland in 1742.
For technical reasons, the soloists could only take their places on a platform to the left in front of the violinists. Therefore, in your stereo system, you will hear them primarily from the left.
亨德爾《彌賽亞》歌詞
感謝網友“一休”提供資料
MESSIAH (composed 1742)
Music by Georg Friedrich Handel
A Sacred Oratorio
Words by Charles Jennens
DISC 1
(PART ONE 救主降臨的預言及他的誕生)
1. Sinfonia (Grave. Allegro Moderato)
2. Comfort ye (Arioso, tenor)
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,
and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness;
prepare ye the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
以賽亞書 40:1 你們的神說，你們要安慰，安慰我的百姓。
40:2 要對耶路撒冷說安慰的話，又向他宣告說，他爭戰的日子已滿了，他的罪孽赦免了，他為自己的一切罪，從耶和華手中加倍受罰。
40:3 有人聲喊著說，在曠野豫備耶和華的路，在沙漠地修平我們神的道。
3. Every valley (Air, tenor)
Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill made low
The crooked straight and the rough places plain
以賽亞書 40:4 一切山窪都要填滿，大小山岡都要削平，高高低低的要改為平坦，崎崎嶇嶇的必成為平原。
4. And the glory of the Lord (Chorus)
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.
以賽亞書 40:5 耶和華的榮耀必然顯現，凡有血氣的必一同看見，因為這是耶和華親口說的。
5. Thus saith the Lord (Recitative, bass)
Thus saith the Lord, 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.
The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple,
even the messenger of the Covenant, whom you delight in;
behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
哈該書2:6 萬軍之耶和華如此說，過不多時，我必再一次震動天地，滄海，與旱地。
2:7 我必震動萬國。萬國的珍寶必都運來（或作萬國所羨慕的必來到），我就使這殿滿了榮耀。這是萬軍之耶和華說的。
6. But who may abide (Air, countertenor)
But who may abide the day of His coming,
and who shall stand when He appeareth?
For He is like a refiner's fire.
瑪拉基書 3:2 他來的日子，誰能當得起呢。他顯現的時候，誰能立得住呢。因為他如鍊金之人的火。
7. And He shall purify (Chorus)
And He shall purify the sons of Levi,
that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
瑪拉基書 3:3 他必坐下如煉淨銀子的，必潔淨利未人，熬煉他們像金銀一樣。他們就憑公義獻供物給耶和華。
8. Behold, a virgin (Recitative, countertenor)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us.
以賽亞書7：14 必有童女懷孕生子，給他起名為以馬內利。
9. O thou that tellest (Air, countertenor & chorus)
O thou that tellest good tidings to 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.
以賽亞書 40:9 報好信息給錫安的啊，你要登上高山。報好信息給耶路撒冷的啊，你要極力揚聲。揚聲不要懼怕，對猶大的城邑說，看哪，你們的神。
40:10 主耶和華必像大能者臨到，他的膀臂必為他掌權。
10. For, behold (Recitative, bass)
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.
以賽亞書 60:2 看哪，黑暗遮蓋大地，幽暗遮蓋萬民。耶和華卻要顯現照耀你，他的榮耀要現在你身上。
60:3 萬國要來就你的光，君王要來就你發現的光輝。
11. The people that walked (Air, Bass)
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.
以賽亞書 9:2 在黑暗中行走的百姓，看見了大光。住在死蔭之地的人有光照耀他們。
12. For unto us a Child is born (Chorus)
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.
以賽亞書 9:6 因為有一嬰孩為我們而生，有一子賜給我們。政權必擔在他的肩頭上。他名稱為奇妙，策士，全能的神，永在的父，和平的君。
13. Pifa ("Pastoral Symphony")
14a. There were shepherds abiding
There were shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flocks by night.
路加福音 2:8 在伯利之野地里有牧羊人，夜間按著更次看守羊群。
b. AccompagnatoSoprano
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.
路加福音 2:9 有主的使者站在他們旁邊，主的榮光四面照著他們。牧羊的人就甚懼怕。
RecitativeSoprano
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."
路加福音 2:10 那天使對他們說，不要懼怕，我報給你們大喜的信息，是關乎萬民的。
2:11 因今天在大衛的城裡，為你們生了救主，就是主基督。
15. Glory to God (Chorus)
And suddenly there was with the angel,
a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on earth, good will towards men."
路加福音 2:13 忽然有一大隊天兵，同那天使讚美神說，
2:14 在至高之處榮耀歸與神，在地上平安歸與他所喜悅的人。
16. Rejoice greatly (Air, soprano)
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.
Rejoice greatly. . .
撒迦利亞書 9:9 錫安的民哪，應當大大喜樂。耶路撒冷的民哪，應當歡呼。看哪，你的王來到你這裡。他是公義的，並且施行拯救。
17. Then shall the eyes (Recitative, countertenor)
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart,
and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.
馬太福音 11:5 就是瞎子看見，瘸子行走，長大麻瘋的潔淨，聾子聽見。
18. He shall feed his flock (Duet, alto & soprano)
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.
Come unto Him, all ye that labour,
come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest.
Take his yoke up on you, and learn of Him,
for He is meek and lowly of heart,and ye shall find rest unto your souls
以賽亞書 40:11 他必像牧人牧養自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在懷中，慢慢引導那乳養小羊的。
馬太福音 11:28 凡勞苦擔重擔的人，可以到我這裡來，我就使你們得安息。
馬太福音 11:29 我心裡柔和謙卑，你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式，這樣，你們心裡就必得享安息。
19. His yoke is easy (Chorus)
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
馬太福音 11:30 因為我的軛是容易的，我的擔子是輕省的。
（PART TWO 救贖的信息及救主為全人類的犧牲）
20. Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.
約翰福音 1:29次日，約翰看見耶穌來到他那裡，就說，看哪，神的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。
21. He was despised (Air, countertenor)
He was despised and rejected of men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
He gave His back to the smiters,
and His cheeks to them that plucked off His hair:
He hid not His face from shame and spitting.
He was despised. . .
以賽亞書 53:3 他被藐視，被人厭棄，多受痛苦，常經憂患。他被藐視，好像被人掩面不看的一樣。我們也不尊重他。
DISC 2
1. Surely, He hath borne (Chorus)
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.
以賽亞書 53:4 他誠然擔當我們的憂患，背負我們的痛苦。我們卻以為他受責罰，被神擊打苦待了。
53:5 那知他為我們的過犯受害，為我們的罪孽壓傷。因他受的刑罰我們得平安。因他受的鞭傷我們得醫治。
2. And with His stripes (Chorus)
And with His stripes we are healed.
以賽亞書 53:5因他受的鞭傷我們得醫治。
3. All we like sheep (Chorus)
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way.
And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
以賽亞書 53:6 我們都如羊走迷，各人偏行己路。耶和華使我們眾人的罪孽都歸在他身上。
4. All they that see Him (Recitative, tenor)
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn;
they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:
詩篇22:7 凡看見我的都恥笑我，他們撇嘴搖頭，說：
5. He trusted in God (Chorus)
"He trusted in God that He would deliver Him;
let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him."
詩篇22:8 “他把自己交託耶和華，耶和華可以救他吧！耶和華喜悅他，可以搭救他吧！”
6.Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Recitative, soprano)
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.
詩篇69:20 辱罵傷破了我的心，我又滿了憂愁。我指望有人體恤，卻沒有一個；我指望有人安慰，卻找不著一個。
7. Behold, and see (Arioso, sporano)
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.
耶利米哀歌1:12 你們要觀看，有像這臨到我的痛苦沒有？
8. He was cut out (Recitative, tenor)
He was cut off out of the land of the living:
for the transgressions of Thy people was He stricken.
以賽亞書 53:8 從活人之地被剪除，是因為我百姓的罪過呢？
9. But Thou didst not leave (Air, tenor)
But Thou didst not leave his soul in hell
nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.
詩篇16:10 因為你必不將我的靈魂撇在陰間，也不叫你的聖者見朽壞。
10. Lift up your heads (Chorus)
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 this 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 this King of Glory?
The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
詩篇24:7 眾城門哪，你們要抬起頭來！永久的門戶，你們要被舉起。那榮耀的王將要進來。
24:8 榮耀的王是誰呢？就是有力有能的耶和華，在戰場上有能的耶和華。
24:9 眾城門哪，你們要抬起頭來！永久的門戶，你們要把頭抬起！那榮耀的王將要進來。
24:10 榮耀的王是誰呢？萬軍之耶和華，他是榮耀的王！細拉
11. Unto which of the angels said (Recitative, tenor)
Unto which of the angels said He at any time:
"Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?"
希伯來書1:5 所有的天使，神從來對哪一個說：“你是我的兒子，我今日生你？”
12. Let all the angels (Chorus)
Let all the angels of God worship Him.
希伯來書1:6 神的使者都要崇拜他。
13. Thou art gone (Air, countertenor)
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.
詩篇68:18 你已升上高天擄掠仇敵，你在人間，就是在悖逆的人間受了貢獻，叫耶和華神可以和他們同住。
14. The Lord gave the word (Chorus)
The Lord gave the word;
great was the company of the preachers.
詩篇 68:11 主發命令，傳好訊息的婦女成了大群。（The Lord gives the word; great is the number of the women who make it public.）
15. How beautiful (Air, soprano)
How beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things.
羅馬書 10:15報福音傳喜信的人，他們的腳蹤何等佳美。
Chorus (or air for tenor)
Their sound is gone out into all lands,
and their words unto the ends of the world.
羅馬書 10:18他們的聲音傳遍天下，他們的言語傳到地極。
16. Why do the nations (Air, bass)
Why do the nations so furiously rage together,
and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth rise up,
and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord,
and against His anointed.
詩篇 2:1 外邦為什麼爭鬧，萬民為什麼謀算虛妄的事。
2:2 世上的君王一齊起來，臣宰一同商議，要敵擋耶和華並他的受膏者，
17. Let us break their bonds (Chorus)
Let us break their bonds asunder,
and cast away their yokes from us.
詩篇 2:3 說：“我們要掙開他們的捆綁，脫去他們的繩索。”
18. He that dwelleth (Recitative, tenor)
He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn;
The Lord shall have them in derision.
詩篇 2:4 那坐在天上的必發笑。主必嗤笑他們。
19. Thou shalt break them (Air, tenor)
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
詩篇 2:9 你必用鐵杖打破他們，你必將他們如同窯匠的瓦器摔碎。
20. Hallelujah (Chorus)
Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord,
and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Hallelujah!
啟示錄19:6 哈利路亞，因為我們的神，全能者作王了。
11:15 世上的國成了我主和主基督的國；他要做王，直到永永遠遠。
19:16 萬王之王，萬主之主。
（PART THREE 救主戰勝死亡及最終的審判）
21. I know that my Redeemer liveth (Air, soprano)
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.
For now is Christ risen from the dead,
the first fruits of them that sleep.
約伯記19:25 我知道我的救贖主活著，末了必站立在地上。
19:26 我這皮肉滅絕之後，我必在肉體之外得見神。
哥林多前書 15:20 但基督已經從死里復活，成為睡了之人初熟的果子。
22. Since by man came death (Chorus)
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.
哥林多前書 15:21 死既是因一人而來，死人復活也是因一人而來。
15:22 在亞當里眾人都死了，照樣，在基督里眾人也都要復活。
23. Behold, I tell you a mystery (Recitative, bass)
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.
哥林多前書 15:51 我如今把一件奧秘的事告訴你們。我們不是都要睡覺，乃是都要改變，
15:52 就在一霎時，眨眼之間，號筒末次吹響的時候。
24. The trumpet shall sound (Air, bass)
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.
The trumpet. . .
哥林多前書 15:52因號筒要響，死人要復活，成為不朽壞的，我們也要改變。
15:53 這必朽壞的總要變成不朽壞的。這必死的總要變成不死的。
25. Then shall be brought (Recitative, countertenor)
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
哥林多前書 15:54那時經上所記，死被得勝吞滅的話就應驗了。
26. Worthy is the Lamb (Chorus)
O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?
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.
哥林多前書 15:55 死啊，你得勝的權勢在那裡。死啊，你的毒鉤在那裡。
啟示錄5:12曾被殺的羔羊，是配得權柄，豐富，智慧，能力，尊貴，榮耀，頌讚的。
5:13 我又聽見，在天上，地上，地底下，滄海里，和天地間一切所有被造之物，都說，但願頌讚，尊貴，榮耀，權勢，都歸給坐寶座的和羔羊，直到永永遠遠。
27 Amen (Chorus)
Amen.
宗教清唱劇《彌塞亞》背景資料及賞析
1735年，作曲家已年過半百，然而這時候他的生活狀況卻變得異常窘迫——歌劇在英國已經不再受到重視，以至於他的創作成果一再付之東流，亨德爾親手創建的歌劇院也不得不被迫關閉，曾經無比風光的音樂大師一下子成了負債累累的潦倒漢。就在這生活與事業的最低谷，倫敦一位著名的劇作家查理·詹寧斯給亨德爾寄送來了自己創作的三部宗教清唱劇劇本——《掃羅（Saul）》、《彌賽亞（Messiah）》以及《Belshazzar》。詹寧斯和亨德爾早在1725年就成為摯友，詹寧斯才華出眾，是當時英國十分出色的劇作家，而亨德爾又發現詹寧斯對自己的音樂作品有相當高的領悟力和理解力，所以兩人相互仰慕，並結下了深厚的友誼。此時詹寧斯寄來的三部劇本無疑好似“雪中送炭”，令作曲家欣喜不已。他立刻回信道謝，並決心對這些劇本進行潛心的研究。
此後的時光，亨德爾在閱讀和思索中度過。雖然此時他生活在貧窮和困苦中，但充滿宗教色彩的三部清唱劇劇本卻讓作曲家經歷了一次精神世界的洗禮。《彌賽亞》更讓亨德爾的思想獲得升華，在這部劇作中他體會到了神的力量，心中重現陽光與感動。經過數年的思想積蓄，在1741年亨德爾開始著手創作基於《彌賽亞》劇本的音樂。歷史上對於這部作品的誕生有非常詳盡的紀錄——亨德爾在當年8月22日（星期六）下午開始寫作《彌賽亞》，6天之內便完成了第一部份，9月6日完成第二部份，9月12日完成整曲的架構，然後寫了管弦樂部份並加修整。完成整部作品前後一共只花了短短24天，速度是極其驚人且無絲毫的敷衍、懈怠。據聞作曲家在寫作過程中，時常被感動得淚流滿面，甚至濕透手稿。尤其當他寫到第二部分終曲《哈利路亞大合唱》這一段時，還雙膝跪倒在地，雙手向天，喊著說：“我看到天門開了！”作曲家似乎已經親身看見、親手觸摸到救世主，所以《彌賽亞》之所以能流芳百世，與亨德爾創作時體現出的虔誠心靈以及成熟的宗教情操是息息相關的。
無論在處世態度方面還是事業成就方面，《彌賽亞》對於亨德爾而言都有著非同一般的意義，這部作品讓作曲家有了很多改變——亨德爾不再急功好利，他開始追求人生真實的意義。從此以後，亨德爾與巴赫攜手並進，從心底寫出對至高上主的讚美與感謝，將一切的榮耀歸與真神上帝。也惟有這樣偉大的心靈，才能譜出感人至深的音樂，為許多世上迷途的人們指點迷津，照亮他們人生的旅途。
《彌賽亞》的首演在1742年4月13日於愛爾蘭首都都柏林舉行，雖然這時候亨德爾的經濟條件很不好，但是他還是毅然決定將首演辦為公益演出，不帶任何盈利性。當時的海報上寫著“為了一些困苦的囚犯，以及梅爾舍醫院的利益而演出”。結果這次首演取得了很大成功，聽眾無不被作品所感染。很快，訊息傳到英國首都倫敦，人們紛紛要求一睹為快。1743年《彌賽亞》在倫敦上演，英王喬治二世親臨劇院，當第二部分終曲《哈里路亞》奏響時，國王按捺不住心中的激動，站起來聽完了全曲。由此，《哈里路亞》要站著聆聽，便作為一條不成文的規定一直延續到今天。最後演出再次獲得轟動，在經歷了長久的沉寂後，亨德爾終於依靠《彌賽亞》取得了事業上的又一個高峰。
清唱劇是以宗教事件或宗教人物為主角的，以管弦樂與人聲歌唱為表現形式的大型作品，通常是作曲家根據劇本唱詞寫作鏇律。《彌賽亞》的內容完全取材於聖經，劇作家詹寧斯對聖經各個篇章故事的採擷、編繪，具備高度的廣博性，且能做到融會貫通，所以劇本自身就具備很高的文學素質。作品的中心思想非常明確——頌讚救主基督的全生涯，從舊約聖經的預言，到主耶穌的出生、生活、受難、受死及復活，以迄榮耀的再臨，使我們清楚認識到整曲的一貫性。全曲主要精神雖然注重救贖的信息，卻超越了教會的教義，成為一種非禮儀的聖樂，而向全世界人類傳達救恩的喜訊。亨德爾經過對劇本長達數年的鑽研領悟，加上其無比優秀的音樂天賦和創作歌劇時積累下的經驗，用自己獨特而美妙的音樂語言，將這一嚴肅的主題表達出來。
劇本共分成三大部分：“救主降臨的預言及他的誕生”、“救贖的信息及救主為全人類的犧牲”以及“救主戰勝死亡及最終的審判”，唱詞主要選自聖經的《以賽亞書》、《詩篇》等。最終的演出則又分為五十三個章節，其中第一部分和第二部分都是23曲，第三部分篇幅較短，為9曲。曲目由序曲開始，給人以平安、回歸的感覺。亨德爾一開始就用男高音，以宣敘調唱出《安慰你們，我的子民》。在第一部分中間，他倒述救主的降生，而且把降生的情景，如童女懷孕生子，天使向牧羊人報佳音，牧羊人在曠野等都生動描繪出來，使聽眾如生歷其境。合唱曲《光榮屬於上帝》，以遙遠而輕盈的聲音演唱。隨著樂團齊奏，音樂逐漸增強。女高音獨唱的詠嘆調《放牧羊群》，以優美恬靜著稱。在四聲部交替的合唱聲中，第一部結束了。第二部分以《以賽亞書》及詩篇為主，默想基督代罪羔羊的苦難，和他光榮的復活。這部份最為突出的是女高音所演唱的悲傷詠嘆調和三首哀婉而令人心碎的合唱曲。隨後與其形成對比的是一段女高音簡短的宣敘調，以及一段賦格式的合唱；緊接著的是五個聲部的合唱《醒來吧！》和人們的祈禱曲。結尾曲是亨德爾最著名的作品：《哈利路亞》合唱曲，哈利路亞原意是“將榮耀歸給主，讚美救主”之意。這個合唱成為整部作品的高潮和精髓，也是如今最常上演的段落，在西方國家甚至是婦孺皆知的，其氣勢宏大，感人至深。第三部分亨德爾說明了救世主對“未來”的拯救。從女高音演唱的活潑詠嘆調《我的救贖主活著》，及以整個樂團伴奏男低音的宣敘調《號角響起了》，然後是充滿藝術魅力賦格曲調。最後是以豐富的節奏，僅以一句話構成的《阿門頌》完成這一部偉大的鉅作。
《彌賽亞》是一部偉大的作品！從藝術層面而言，《彌賽亞》既充滿著巴洛克時期獨有的特點，又顯得極其與眾不同，其平易近人、雅俗共賞的特點使它成為影響力最廣泛的宗教音樂作品之一。同時作品具有極大的包容性，我們可以聽到義大利歌劇、德國受難曲、英國讚美詩等曲式的影子。在藝術氣質上既有英國的純樸、德國的嚴謹，更有義大利的明朗和法國的高貴。《彌賽亞》具有濃重的宗教色彩，從而成為引領很多人進入聖殿的名篇，但其高度的藝術性也讓它成為廣大古典音樂愛好者喜聞樂見的聲樂作品，崇高的思想、聖潔的氣質以及優美的鏇律造就了《彌賽亞》的不朽。
