Rebecca St. James - O Come Emmanuel Lyrics
Lyrics
O come, O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That morns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel!
O Israel!
Shall come
O come thou dayspring come and cheer
Our spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And deaths dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel!
O Israel
Shall come (X6)
Come to thee my friend
Come thou wisdom from on high
And order all things far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show
And cause us in her ways to go
Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
O Israel
Shall come
O come, O come Emmanuel
Video
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Meaning & Inspiration
Rebecca St. James delivered a powerful rendition of "O Come Emmanuel," released on June 25, 2015, bringing a timeless hymn of longing and hope to a contemporary audience. This ancient Advent anthem, rooted in the "O Antiphons" used in Christian tradition for centuries, expresses the deep yearning of humanity for a Savior. Rebecca St. James revitalizes this profound spiritual hunger, making it relevant for anyone seeking God's intervention and presence in their lives today. Her interpretation doesn't merely sing the words; it embodies the collective human cry for divine redemption, reminding us of the enduring promises of God.
The song begins with the fervent plea, "O come, O come Emmanuel / And ransom captive Israel / That morns in lonely exile here / Until the Son of God appear." Here, "Emmanuel," meaning "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), is the central figure of hope. The request to "ransom captive Israel" transcends a specific historical nation, speaking to the universal human condition of being captive to sin and separation from God, as Romans 6:17 reminds us that we were slaves to sin. The concept of "ransom" directly points to Christ's sacrifice, for He came "to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45, 1 Peter 1:18-19). The image of humanity "mourning in lonely exile" vividly portrays our spiritual alienation and the deep ache for restoration, much like the Israelites in Babylonian exile longed for their homeland (Psalm 137). This verse beautifully encapsulates the expectant waiting for Christ's first coming and fuels our longing for His glorious return (Revelation 22:20).
The chorus, "Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel / Shall come to thee O Israel!" shifts from desperate plea to confident declaration. It’s an urgent call to find joy in the certainty of God's promise. The repetition of "Rejoice" is not a suggestion but an invitation to embrace the unshakable truth of God’s faithfulness, echoing Philippians 4:4. The unwavering statement "Shall come" solidifies the divine guarantee; God's promises are unfailing and always fulfilled in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). This affirmation transforms the initial lament into a powerful expression of hope, celebrating the triumph over spiritual bondage.
The second verse continues this powerful invocation: "O come thou dayspring come and cheer / Our spirits by thine advent here / Disperse the gloomy clouds of night / And deaths dark shadows put to flight." The metaphor of "Dayspring" beautifully depicts Christ as the dawn, the rising sun that breaks through darkness. Luke 1:78-79 refers to Him as the "dayspring from on high" who would "give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." This imagery speaks directly to the human experience of despair, fear, and the ultimate reality of death. Christ's arrival brings not just cheer but dispels "gloomy clouds" and "death's dark shadows," offering victory over mortality (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) and the promise of walking in His light (John 8:12).
Finally, the song cries out, "Come thou wisdom from on high / And order all things far and nigh / To us the path of knowledge show / And cause us in her ways to go." This verse recognizes Christ as the very embodiment of divine wisdom, as 1 Corinthians 1:24 declares Him to be "the power of God and the wisdom of God." It’s a prayer for God's sovereign hand to bring order into the chaos of both the cosmos and our individual lives, for "in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). The desire to be shown "the path of knowledge" is not merely for intellectual understanding, but for transformative wisdom that guides our steps and shapes our character, causing us to walk in God's righteous ways (Psalm 119:105, James 1:5).
Rebecca St. James’s rendition of "O Come Emmanuel" serves as a profound spiritual anchor, reminding us that the longing for God’s presence is met with His unwavering commitment. It’s an anthem that encourages active expectation, confirming that God's "with us" presence is not just a historical event but a continuous, transformative reality in our lives. This song transcends time, inviting us to embrace the deepest truths of Advent and remember the fulfillment found only in Emmanuel. It’s a vibrant call to prepare our hearts for the King, allowing His wisdom, light, and redemptive power to reign supreme.