BE NOT AFRAID”

"Be Not Afraid" is one of the most powerful and enduring choruses from Felix Mendelssohn’s great oratorio, Elijah. For many Nigerian choirs, mastering this sweeping anthem is a true milestone. The music carries a profound sense of divine reassurance, opening with a majestic, unshakeable declaration before moving into the swirling, dramatic passages that describe thousands languishing and falling. Through all the musical tension, the central promise remains firm: God is near, and His protection will not fail.

Choirs often bring this piece out for major feast days, choral concerts, or moments in the liturgy that call for a profound expression of trust in God. Singing it requires stamina and careful attention to the moving parts, but the result is always deeply moving for the congregation. The words, drawn from the book of Isaiah, offer immense comfort, reminding everyone in the pews that they do not walk through their trials alone.

This particular score also includes a wonderful addition at the very end: a short, complementary piece titled "Do Not Be Afraid!" by Tinah H. It takes the exact same scriptural theme and distills it into a more direct, contemporary choral setting. Having both pieces together gives worship leaders a brilliant way to echo the same message of faith, whether they need a grand classical chorus or a shorter, focused response.