Awake O Israel

This is a messianic hymn of petition and praise, inviting Israel(*) to recognize Jesus. It was inspired by Isaiah 52:1 (Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion ...).

It was written by Canadian evangelical singer-songwriter and musician Merla Watson, and first released in 974 by Gordon V. Thompson Ltd.  The song has been recorded by artists including Marty Nystrom and Elana Watson:  It is sometimes - incorrectly - attributed to the latter.

Watson's theological perspective is that Christianity is the other part of Israel(*) - so the song is for Christians as much as it is for Jews, although the tune is based on Hebrew traditions.

Books where it has been published in include:

• Scripture in Song, Volume II, Songs of the Kingdom, Scripture in Song, New Zealand 1981
• Renew! Songs and Hymns for Blended Worship, Hope Publishing USA, 1995.

No in-print sources of sheet-music have been located, so a 2nd hand copy of these books is the best option for finding it.

The song is set to an unnamed tune, also by Watson. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of Dm, the first few notes of the melody are AA GF D_ AGF G_AG with accompanying chords Dm / A7 / Dm / Gm.

Downloads

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Examples

Small group with band, professional recording:

Small group with band:

Worship leader with band:

Duet with band:

Small group with backing - words on screen:

Singer with band:

The writer and husband, with accordion and guitar, performed live in a church-service:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Awake, O Israel, put off your slumber,
and the truth shall set you free,
For out of Zion, comes thy Deliverer,
in the Year of Jubilee.

Thou art my chosen, for Thou hast sought me.
Thou art graven on My hand,
and I will gather all those who gather,
they shall come back to their land.

For from the furnace of much affliction,
I have chosen thee, behold:
And for iron, I’ll give you silver,
And for brass I’ll give you gold.

(some people treat this as a final verse, others use it as a chorus between verses)
O hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, praise the LORD!
O hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, praise the LORD!

See more ...

• Messianic hymns
• Hymns of praise

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY Awake, O Israel, put off your slumber,
and the truth shall set you free,
For out of Zion, comes thy Deliverer,
in the Year of Jubilee.

Thou art my chosen, for Thou hast sought me.
Thou art graven on My hand,
and I will gather all those who gather,
they shall come back to their land.

For from the furnace of much affliction,
I have chosen thee, behold:
And for iron, I’ll give you silver,
And for brass I’ll give you gold.

(some people treat this as a final verse, others use it as a chorus between verses).
O Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Praise the LORD!
O Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Praise the LORD!