The Lord Gave the Word

When a choir takes on "The Lord Gave the Word," the energy in the room shifts immediately. Originally part of G.F. Handel's monumental *Messiah*, this chorus is a favorite for Nigerian Catholic choirs preparing for classical music concerts, choir festivals, or grand celebrations. It opens with a bold, unified declaration before breaking into a fast-paced, overlapping wave of voices that perfectly captures the urgency of spreading the Gospel.

The text, drawn from Psalm 68, speaks of a great company of preachers taking the word of God out into the world. You can hear that "great company" in the music itself. The soprano line drives the melody forward with bright, continuous runs, while the lower voices echo and chase the phrase "great was the company." It demands tight rhythm, clear diction, and absolute focus from every singer in the loft.

For a choir director, teaching this piece is an exercise in precision and breath control. When the parts finally lock together, the result is a thrilling, triumphant sound. It challenges a choir to step up their vocal technique, leaving the audience uplifted by the sheer force and momentum of the musical message.