Hallelujah Chorus, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir/Bonhoeffer

"In New York they preach about virtually everything, only one thing is not addressed, or is addressed so rarely that I have as yet been unable to hear it, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross, sin and forgiveness, death and life." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, ~1930

"[The Union seminary students] talk a blue streak without slightest substantive foundation, and with no evidence of any criteria...they are unfamiliar with even the most basic questions. They become intoxicated with liberal and humanistic phrases, laugh at the fundamentalists..."
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, ~1930

One of the greatest influences on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's adult life was a visit to the Abyssinian Baptist Church in the Harlem district of New York City. He had come to the U.S. from pre- WWII Germany seeking to find an 'alive church'. "Bonhoeffer had no idea what he was walking into at the Union Seminary, but the bloody battle royale between the liberals and the fundamentals was in full swing in 1930...One notable exception, however, was in the 'negro churches'." There in the distressed African American community, Dietrich would see the full power of the Word of God manifested under the preaching of Pastor Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Eric Metaxas, author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, continues, "Starving from the skim milk at Union (seminary), Bonhoeffer found a theological feast in this N.Y. African American church that spared nothing." (see Now Let Us Come Before Him and The Mark Of A Man, Jan 2011, for more on Bonhoeffer's life)

1965 photo - 25 years after Bonhoeffer's 6 month in New York

What you will hear below is much like the music Bonhoeffer experienced and loved. My husband and I heard the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir back in the early days of my coming to faith in Jesus (80s). We were impressed with the teaching of the Word and the powerful singing! It went deep, bringing a longing to be filled with the joy of God from the inside out! This may not be your style or cultural background, but if you don't find yourself joining in on the worship, your kindling may be wet! If you love Handel's Messiah, as I do, this should be great fun.


Lyrics:

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

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
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
Wo-o-o-o-rthy
And hath redeemed us to God by His blood

Men:
Blessing, honor, glory, and power be unto Him, be unto Him
That seated upon the throne
And to the Lamb

All:
Blessing, honor, glory, and power be unto Him, be unto Him
That seated upon the throne

Men:
O That seated upon the throne
All:
That seated upon the throne
Men:
Blessing, honor, glory, and power be unto

All:
The Lamb

Solo: Ha -
All: Blessing and honor
Solo: Lelujah
All: Blessing honor and power
Solo: Ha aaaaaaaaaa
All: Wisdom and strength and glory

Solo: Lelujah

All; Hallelujah Hallelu

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah [2x]

Men: For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Halle halle
Hallelujah

For the Lord God omnipotent r-e-i-gneth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, halle – e- e- lujah
The kingdom of our Lord
And of his Christ [X2]
And He shall reign for ever and ever [2X]

Solo: King of Kings
All: for ever and ever, hallelujah hallelujah
Solo: and Lord of Lords
All: For ever and ever
Solo: King of Kings
All: For ever and ever, hallelujah hallelujah
Solo: Lord of Lords
All: For ever and ever
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Solo: King of Kings
All:For ever and ever,
Solo: Lord of Lords
All: For ever and ever
Hallelujah

Halle – lu jah

Supporting Scriptures:
"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain!”Revelations 5: 11-12

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"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Revelations 7:9-12
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"Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelations 11:15