Lyrics
Verse 1
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Verse 2
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Chorus 2
Simchu, Simchu, Emmanuel
Yavo lachem b’nei Yisrael
Verse 3
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery
Chorus 2
Simchu, simchu, Emmanuel
Yavo lachem b’nei Yisrael
Tag
Has come to you O Israel
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” voices Israel’s longing for the promised Deliverer and turns that longing into rejoicing. Each verse calls upon a biblical title: Emmanuel, the Rod of Jesse, and the Key of David. These names present Christ as God with his people, the heir who brings freedom, and the king who opens the way to life. Captivity, exile, tyranny, and the grave form the song’s darkness, while the promised coming of Emmanuel supplies its steady hope.
Joshua Aaron’s bilingual refrain connects the familiar English hymn with Israel through the Hebrew call to rejoice. The lyrics draw especially close to Isaiah’s signs and royal promises, while the plea for victory over the grave also reflects the Christian confession of Christ’s triumph over death. The song therefore works both as an Advent prayer and as a declaration of hope: God’s promised king comes to ransom, guide, and bring his people home.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah gives the promised son the name Immanuel, meaning God with his people.
- Isaiah 11:1 The promised ruler is described as a shoot from the family line of Jesse.
- Isaiah 22:22 The key of David signifies authority to open and shut.