Handel and the “Messiah” - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Psalm 104:33

Handel and the “Messiah”
Georg Friedrich Handel (1685–1759) is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period. He was tall, consumed large amounts of food and drink, could compose continuously for 20 hours, and had an almost inexhaustible creative energy.

He was also known for his temper tantrums. Once, he threatened to throw a singer out of the window for not following his instructions. Accordingly, his music is powerful. It is expansive, simple and of majestic force (especially in the choruses) and full of the most glorious melodies.

Handel was born in Halle, Saxony. In 1710, he first went to England which later became his second home. In London, Handel mainly composed operas. In 1737, he suffered a severe stroke. The doctors thought he would never be able to work again. But contrary to all expectations, his health was eventually completely restored.

Through the hardships he experienced, Handel became humble and open to God. From then on, he increasingly turned away from opera and composed English oratorios with predominantly biblical content. In 1741, he composed his most famous work, the “Messiah”, in just over three weeks. It describes the journey of the Saviour, Jesus Christ: from the announcement of His coming, His birth, His death and resurrection, to His return and the resurrection of the believers. Handel donated the proceeds from this work to orphans and the poor.

Ten years later, Handel became blind. On his deathbed, he had psalms and comforting words from the Bible read to him. His last words were the Bible verse he had set to music in the “Messiah”: “I know that my Redeemer lives”.

Today’s reading: Leviticus 19:1-37 · Psalms 67:1-7