Lyrics
Verse 1
O Come O Come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears
Chorus
Rejoice Rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee oh Israel
Verse 2
O Come thou wisdom from on high
Who orders all things mightily
To us the path of knowledge show
And teach us in our ways to go
Chorus
Rejoice Rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee oh Israel
Shall come to thee oh Israel
Bridge
Rejoice again I say Rejoice
For unto us is born the Savior of the World
Take heart oh weary soul take heart
For help is on its way and Holy is His name
Rejoice again I say Rejoice
For unto us is born the Savior of the World
Take heart oh weary soul take heart
For help is on its way and Holy is His name
Chorus
Rejoice Rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee oh Israel
Outro
Rejoice again I say Rejoice
For unto us is born the Savior of the World
Take heart oh weary soul take heart
For help is on its way and Holy is His name
Holy is His name
Holy is His name
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This arrangement keeps the first verses of the Advent hymn "O Come O Come Emmanuel," which ask for ransom for "captive Israel" and for wisdom "from on high" to show the path. It then adds a newer section beginning "Rejoice again I say Rejoice," a line close to Paul's wording in Philippians, and announces that a Savior has been born.
The hymn portion carries the longing of exile, with Israel waiting and mourning until the Son of God appears. The added section answers that waiting with encouragement: "Take heart oh weary soul take heart" and "For help is on its way and Holy is His name." The refrain "Rejoice Rejoice Emmanuel" ties the two parts together, so the sorrow of the opening verses and the announcement of a birth sit in one piece.
Isaiah 7:14 names Emmanuel, and Luke 1:49 uses the phrase "holy is his name" in Mary's song, which makes both passages reasonable companions. Philippians 4:4 carries the call to rejoice.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 7:14 The sign of a child named Immanuel, meaning God with us.
- Luke 1:49 Mary says that holy is His name.
- Philippians 4:4 Paul calls believers to rejoice in the Lord always.