The Deliverance of Jerusalem
"When God fights your battles, victory is assured!"
| "The Deliverance of Jerusalem" - An Epic Biblical Oratorio Witness the power of faith and divine intervention in this groundbreaking classical oratorio by Lionheart Revival. "The Deliverance of Jerusalem" brings to life the dramatic biblical account of King Hezekiah and Jerusalem's miraculous salvation from the Assyrian army. Through sweeping orchestral arrangements, powerful vocal performances, and a libretto drawn from scripture, this oratorio transports you to ancient Jerusalem, where impossible odds meet unwavering faith. Experience the fear, doubt, hope, and ultimate triumph as God fights for His people. This isn't just music—a timeless reminder that no challenge is too great to overcome when we trust God. Whether you're a lover of classical music, a student of the Bible, or someone seeking inspiration in challenging times, "The Deliverance of Jerusalem" offers a soul-stirring journey you won't forget. Join us in this musical exploration of one of the most dramatic moments in biblical history. Let the music lift your spirit and strengthen your faith! |
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Lyrics
In days of old, when Hezekiah reigned,
Sennacherib, Assyria's mighty king,
Laid siege to Judah's cities, one by one,
His armies vast, their victory seemed sure.
With chariots countless, I have scaled the heights,
Lebanon's cedars fall before my might.
Strange waters I have drunk, and with my feet,
I'll dry the rivers of besieged Egypt's land.
We are the scourge of nations, fear our name!
All kingdoms fall, all cities burn in flame!
No god can stand against our mighty host,
Of Jerusalem, we'll soon make empty boast!
But Hezekiah, Judah's faithful king,
Before the Holy One his heart did bring.
In sackcloth clad, he sought the prophet's word,
And in the temple, his petition heard.
O Lord of Hosts, enthroned above the cherubim,
Hear my cry, see the plight we're in!
This heathen king Your holy name defies,
Save us, O God, let all see You arise!
In our distress, we turn to You alone,
O God of Jacob, from Your heavenly throne,
Deliver us from proud Assyria's hand,
That all may know You rule o'er every land!
Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel,
Concerning this Assyrian king's quarrel:
Who have you mocked, blasphemer of My name?
Against the Holy One, you stake your claim?
I know your sitting down, your going out,
Your coming in, and all your arrogant shout.
Because your rage against Me knows no bound,
My hook in your nose shall turn you around.
By the way that you came, you shall return,
This city stands, your threats I overturn!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts!
His power endures, of this we make our boast!
The pride of man before Him turns to dust,
In God alone let all the nations trust!
That very night, the Lord His judgment brought,
Against the foe that His great name had mocked.
Through silent camp, death's shadow swiftly flies,
By morning light, see how Assyria dies!
One hundred eighty-five thousand lay slain,
God's mighty arm has triumphed once again!
Praise to the God who saves with mighty hand!
His promise stands, He guards this chosen land!
For David's sake, and for His own great name,
The Lord has put our enemies to shame!
He who defended Zion in that hour,
Still guards His church with wall of fiery power.
Soon He will come, with angels at His side,
To judge the earth, let all in Him abide!
Blessed be the Lord, our strong deliverer!
His faithfulness endures forever!
From age to age, His promises are sure,
His love and mercy evermore endure!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts!
His power endures, of this we make our boast!
The pride of man before Him turns to dust,
In God alone let all the nations trust!
That very night, the Lord His judgment brought,
Against the foe that His great name had mocked.
The pride of man before Him turns to dust,
In God alone let all the nations trust!
Sennacherib, Assyria's mighty king,
Laid siege to Judah's cities, one by one,
His armies vast, their victory seemed sure.
With chariots countless, I have scaled the heights,
Lebanon's cedars fall before my might.
Strange waters I have drunk, and with my feet,
I'll dry the rivers of besieged Egypt's land.
We are the scourge of nations, fear our name!
All kingdoms fall, all cities burn in flame!
No god can stand against our mighty host,
Of Jerusalem, we'll soon make empty boast!
But Hezekiah, Judah's faithful king,
Before the Holy One his heart did bring.
In sackcloth clad, he sought the prophet's word,
And in the temple, his petition heard.
O Lord of Hosts, enthroned above the cherubim,
Hear my cry, see the plight we're in!
This heathen king Your holy name defies,
Save us, O God, let all see You arise!
In our distress, we turn to You alone,
O God of Jacob, from Your heavenly throne,
Deliver us from proud Assyria's hand,
That all may know You rule o'er every land!
Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel,
Concerning this Assyrian king's quarrel:
Who have you mocked, blasphemer of My name?
Against the Holy One, you stake your claim?
I know your sitting down, your going out,
Your coming in, and all your arrogant shout.
Because your rage against Me knows no bound,
My hook in your nose shall turn you around.
By the way that you came, you shall return,
This city stands, your threats I overturn!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts!
His power endures, of this we make our boast!
The pride of man before Him turns to dust,
In God alone let all the nations trust!
That very night, the Lord His judgment brought,
Against the foe that His great name had mocked.
Through silent camp, death's shadow swiftly flies,
By morning light, see how Assyria dies!
One hundred eighty-five thousand lay slain,
God's mighty arm has triumphed once again!
Praise to the God who saves with mighty hand!
His promise stands, He guards this chosen land!
For David's sake, and for His own great name,
The Lord has put our enemies to shame!
He who defended Zion in that hour,
Still guards His church with wall of fiery power.
Soon He will come, with angels at His side,
To judge the earth, let all in Him abide!
Blessed be the Lord, our strong deliverer!
His faithfulness endures forever!
From age to age, His promises are sure,
His love and mercy evermore endure!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts!
His power endures, of this we make our boast!
The pride of man before Him turns to dust,
In God alone let all the nations trust!
That very night, the Lord His judgment brought,
Against the foe that His great name had mocked.
The pride of man before Him turns to dust,
In God alone let all the nations trust!
The Divine Defense of Jerusalem
How the Lord Protected the City from Sennacherib
The story of how the Lord protected Jerusalem from the Assyrian king Sennacherib is found in several places in the Bible:
2 Kings 18–19:
2 Kings 18–19:
- These chapters describe how Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, threatened Jerusalem during King Hezekiah's reign. The prophet Isaiah delivered God’s promise of protection, and eventually, the Lord sent an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.
- This chapter recounts the same event. King Hezekiah sought God’s help, and the Lord defended the city by destroying the enemy forces.
- The prophet Isaiah also recorded this incident. These chapters provide detailed accounts of Sennacherib’s threats and God’s response through Isaiah, assuring that Jerusalem would not fall and that the enemy would not enter the city.
One of the most dramatic episodes in biblical history is the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian king Sennacherib. Sennacherib was a powerful ruler who had swept across the ancient Near East, conquering cities and nations with an unstoppable military force. But when he set his sights on Jerusalem, something extraordinary happened—an intervention that would be remembered for generations as a divine act of protection.
The Historical Context
The event took place in the late 8th century BC during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Under the rule of Sennacherib, the Assyrian Empire was one of the most formidable forces of the ancient world. By the time Sennacherib marched toward Jerusalem, he had already captured much of Judah and devastated several cities. The Bible, in 2 Kings 18–19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36–37, gives us a detailed account of what unfolded, but historians also provide significant context that aligns with these biblical records.
In 701 BC, after laying siege to the fortified cities of Judah, Sennacherib sent a large army to Jerusalem. The town was vastly outnumbered and ill-equipped to withstand a prolonged siege. The people of Jerusalem were terrified, and Sennacherib’s envoys taunted them, mocking their faith and boasting of the many nations Assyria had already conquered. His message was clear: resistance was futile, and Jerusalem would fall just like all the others.
King Hezekiah’s Response
King Hezekiah, unlike many other rulers of the time, refused to surrender. He was a devout man who placed his trust in the Lord. Instead of capitulating to Sennacherib’s demands, Hezekiah took drastic spiritual steps. He went to the temple of the Lord, laid out Sennacherib’s threatening letter before God, and prayed earnestly for deliverance.
At this crucial moment, the prophet Isaiah brought a message of hope from the Lord. He reassured Hezekiah that God had heard his prayer and that the Assyrians would not enter the city or even shoot an arrow against it (Isaiah 37:33). The Lord Himself would defend Jerusalem.
The Miraculous Intervention
What happened next defied all human expectations. In the middle of the night, the Bible recounts that an angel of the Lord went out into the Assyrian camp and struck down 185,000 soldiers. When the survivors awoke the following day, they found themselves surrounded by the dead bodies of their comrades. Overwhelmed and demoralized, Sennacherib withdrew his army and returned to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital.
The Bible’s account of this event concludes with Sennacherib’s assassination by his sons, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:37 and Isaiah 37:38, fulfilling the prophecy that the Lord had spoken through Isaiah.
Historical Corroboration
Interestingly, Sennacherib’s records — discovered in the ruins of Nineveh and known as the "Sennacherib Prism" or "Taylor Prism" — provide a significant historical corroboration of this event, though with a notable omission. The prism boasts of Sennacherib’s many victories, including his campaign in Judah, but when it comes to Jerusalem, it curiously stops short of claiming a direct conquest.
The Assyrian king writes that he "shut up Hezekiah like a bird in a cage" but does not mention capturing the city. This omission is striking, as it was common for rulers to exaggerate their accomplishments. The absence of a claim to have taken Jerusalem may be evidence of the divine intervention described in the Bible.
Something went wrong for Sennacherib’s forces, and his failure to capture Jerusalem remains one of the most perplexing defeats in Assyrian military history.
The Legacy of Divine Protection
The story of Jerusalem’s miraculous deliverance continues to inspire people of faith today. It is a testament to the power of prayer and God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations. King Hezekiah’s unwavering trust in the Lord in the face of impossible odds is a powerful example of faith under fire.
For centuries, this event has been celebrated as one of human history's most incredible acts of divine intervention. It highlights a pivotal moment when Jerusalem's fate hung in the balance, only to be saved by God's unseen hand. The Lord's protection of Jerusalem from Sennacherib is a vivid reminder that no earthly power, no matter how great, can stand against God's will.
The defeat of Sennacherib’s army at the gates of Jerusalem remains one of the most significant and mysterious episodes in ancient history. Whether viewed from the biblical perspective or through the lens of historical inquiry, it continues to captivate and inspire. The divine defense of Jerusalem stands as a powerful testament to the enduring belief that God is not only a protector of His people but also a sovereign force who shapes the destiny of nations.
The Historical Context
The event took place in the late 8th century BC during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Under the rule of Sennacherib, the Assyrian Empire was one of the most formidable forces of the ancient world. By the time Sennacherib marched toward Jerusalem, he had already captured much of Judah and devastated several cities. The Bible, in 2 Kings 18–19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36–37, gives us a detailed account of what unfolded, but historians also provide significant context that aligns with these biblical records.
In 701 BC, after laying siege to the fortified cities of Judah, Sennacherib sent a large army to Jerusalem. The town was vastly outnumbered and ill-equipped to withstand a prolonged siege. The people of Jerusalem were terrified, and Sennacherib’s envoys taunted them, mocking their faith and boasting of the many nations Assyria had already conquered. His message was clear: resistance was futile, and Jerusalem would fall just like all the others.
King Hezekiah’s Response
King Hezekiah, unlike many other rulers of the time, refused to surrender. He was a devout man who placed his trust in the Lord. Instead of capitulating to Sennacherib’s demands, Hezekiah took drastic spiritual steps. He went to the temple of the Lord, laid out Sennacherib’s threatening letter before God, and prayed earnestly for deliverance.
At this crucial moment, the prophet Isaiah brought a message of hope from the Lord. He reassured Hezekiah that God had heard his prayer and that the Assyrians would not enter the city or even shoot an arrow against it (Isaiah 37:33). The Lord Himself would defend Jerusalem.
The Miraculous Intervention
What happened next defied all human expectations. In the middle of the night, the Bible recounts that an angel of the Lord went out into the Assyrian camp and struck down 185,000 soldiers. When the survivors awoke the following day, they found themselves surrounded by the dead bodies of their comrades. Overwhelmed and demoralized, Sennacherib withdrew his army and returned to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital.
The Bible’s account of this event concludes with Sennacherib’s assassination by his sons, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:37 and Isaiah 37:38, fulfilling the prophecy that the Lord had spoken through Isaiah.
Historical Corroboration
Interestingly, Sennacherib’s records — discovered in the ruins of Nineveh and known as the "Sennacherib Prism" or "Taylor Prism" — provide a significant historical corroboration of this event, though with a notable omission. The prism boasts of Sennacherib’s many victories, including his campaign in Judah, but when it comes to Jerusalem, it curiously stops short of claiming a direct conquest.
The Assyrian king writes that he "shut up Hezekiah like a bird in a cage" but does not mention capturing the city. This omission is striking, as it was common for rulers to exaggerate their accomplishments. The absence of a claim to have taken Jerusalem may be evidence of the divine intervention described in the Bible.
Something went wrong for Sennacherib’s forces, and his failure to capture Jerusalem remains one of the most perplexing defeats in Assyrian military history.
The Legacy of Divine Protection
The story of Jerusalem’s miraculous deliverance continues to inspire people of faith today. It is a testament to the power of prayer and God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations. King Hezekiah’s unwavering trust in the Lord in the face of impossible odds is a powerful example of faith under fire.
For centuries, this event has been celebrated as one of human history's most incredible acts of divine intervention. It highlights a pivotal moment when Jerusalem's fate hung in the balance, only to be saved by God's unseen hand. The Lord's protection of Jerusalem from Sennacherib is a vivid reminder that no earthly power, no matter how great, can stand against God's will.
The defeat of Sennacherib’s army at the gates of Jerusalem remains one of the most significant and mysterious episodes in ancient history. Whether viewed from the biblical perspective or through the lens of historical inquiry, it continues to captivate and inspire. The divine defense of Jerusalem stands as a powerful testament to the enduring belief that God is not only a protector of His people but also a sovereign force who shapes the destiny of nations.
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