O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
An ancient Advent hymn calling on Christ to come and ransom captive Israel.
Download PDFAn ancient Advent hymn calling on Christ to come and ransom captive Israel. Written by Latin (9th century); trans. John Mason Neale (1851), set to the tune "Veni Emmanuel" by Thomas Helmore (adapted from 15th-c. plainsong).
Suggested pairing scripture
Isaiah 7:14
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Read Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.
Read in contextWhen to sing this
Sing at the close of a service as a hymn of response, during altar calls, baptisms, and seasons of personal rededication.
Lyrics
Stanza 1
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Stanza 2
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Stanza 3
O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.
Stanza 4
O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace.
History & Background
Based on the medieval 'O Antiphons' sung in the final week of Advent (8th-9th century). John Mason Neale translated the Latin text into English in 1851, and Thomas Helmore paired it with a 15th-century French plainsong melody the same year.
Scripture Behind the Hymn
Isaiah 7:14
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."Read in context
Matthew 1:23
"They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."Read in context
Revelation 3:7
"He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth."Read in context
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 'O Antiphons' behind this hymn?
They are seven short Latin chants sung at Vespers December 17-23, each addressing Christ by an Old Testament title — Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring, King of the Nations, and Emmanuel.
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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
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Where to go next
Enjoyed "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"? These pages pair well with it for worship planning.
- Browse the full hymnal libraryLyrics, authors and scripture pairings.Continue
- Plan this Sunday's serviceCall-to-worship verses and printable kits.Continue
- Sermon series with matching verse setsOutlines and printable packs.Continue
- Today's Bible verse (KJV)A fresh verse and short reflection each day.Continue