Phil Wickham - O Come O Come Emmanuel Lyrics
Lyrics
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
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
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
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.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Video
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Meaning & Inspiration
Phil Wickham’s rendition of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” released on his 2011 album *Songs for Christmas*, is a profound reimagining of a timeless Advent hymn that speaks directly to the deepest longings of the human heart. This is not merely a festive Christmas tune; it's a passionate cry for redemption, rooted in centuries of theological contemplation and echoing the universal human need for hope and deliverance. The song’s power lies in its faithful adherence to the original text’s rich imagery and its unwavering focus on the coming of Jesus Christ as the ultimate answer to Israel's centuries of waiting and to our own spiritual captivity.
The genesis of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is deeply intertwined with the early church's anticipation of the Messiah. The original Latin text, *Veni, Veni, Emmanuel*, dates back to the 12th century or possibly earlier, reflecting a period of great spiritual yearning and the anticipation of Christ's first coming. Each stanza is a plea, invoking a different Messianic title that draws directly from Old Testament prophecy, underscoring the profound theological weight Wickham carries in his performance. The very first verse addresses "Emmanuel," a name directly from Isaiah 7:14, meaning "God with us." This is not just a promise of a future king, but a declaration of God's imminent presence among His people, a radical concept that fundamentally reshapes their understanding of divine intervention. The "captive Israel" and "lonely exile" speak to a state of oppression and spiritual separation, a condition that resonates powerfully with the human experience of sin and its consequences, as described in Romans 3:23 where all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
The subsequent stanzas unpack further prophecies. The "Rod of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:1) refers to the lineage of David, from whose line the Messiah would descend, bringing justice and righteousness. This imagery is a direct appeal for liberation from the "tyranny" of Satan, a theme consistent with Jesus' victory over sin and death as articulated in Hebrews 2:14-15, where He entered death to destroy the one who holds the power of death. The call for Him to "save Thy people from depths of Hell" and "give them victory o'er the grave" is a powerful anticipation of Christ's resurrection, the ultimate triumph over mortality, as celebrated in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, which proclaims that death is swallowed up in victory.
Wickham’s interpretation, while rooted in tradition, feels intensely personal. The invocation of the "Day-Spring" (Zechariah 3:8), a title hinting at the dawning of a new era, is presented as a means to "cheer our spirits" and "disperse the gloomy clouds of night." This speaks to the transformative power of Christ's arrival, banishing the darkness of sin and despair and ushering in the light of salvation. The "Key of David" (Revelation 3:7, referencing Isaiah 22:22) is invoked to "open wide our heavenly home," a profound metaphor for access to God's presence, previously barred by sin. This verse directly connects to Jesus' own words in John 14:6, where He declares Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life," and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. Finally, the song remembers Christ as "Lord of might," the one who gave the Law on Sinai (Exodus 19-20), acknowledging His divine authority and power. This reinforces the understanding that the coming King is not just a liberator, but the sovereign Lord of all creation, who established His covenant with His people.
Phil Wickham’s performance breathes fresh life into these ancient petitions, making them relevant and urgent for contemporary listeners. The emphasis remains squarely on the promised Messiah as the ultimate solution to human brokenness and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. This rendition is a powerful invitation to join in that age-old cry, to recognize our own need for this Emmanuel, and to find hope and rejoicing in His promised, and now realized, advent.