Lyrics – “But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming”

(from Part I of Messiah, text from Malachi 3:2, King James Version)

But who may abide the day of His coming,
and who shall stand when He appeareth?
For He is like a refiner’s fire.

Musical & Interpretive Analysis

Placement in Messiah
“But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming” appears early in Part I, following the bass recitative “Thus Saith the Lord” and preceding “And He Shall Purify.” It is an alto (or countertenor) aria, though in Handel’s day it was often sung by a bass in certain revivals. The text shifts from a rhetorical question about the awe and fear of Christ’s coming to a powerful image of purification, setting the stage for the refining and cleansing mission of the Messiah.

Structure and Key
The aria is in two contrasting sections:

1. Adagio (slow, minor key, often E minor or D minor depending on edition) – the first two lines of the text are set in a somber, contemplative mood.

2. Prestissimo / Allegro (fast, major or bright minor) – the “For He is like a refiner’s fire” section bursts in with rapid, fiery passages, symbolizing the intense and purifying nature of God’s judgment.

Scoring and Word Painting

• Opening Section:

  • Handel uses a slow, dotted-rhythm accompaniment in the strings, giving the feeling of solemn questioning and foreboding.

  • The vocal line has wide intervals and long notes, emphasizing the gravity of the questions.

• Refiner’s Fire Section:

  • Rapid string figurations evoke flickering flames and restless energy.

  • The vocal line features fast melismas (many notes on one syllable) to depict the leaping and consuming motion of fire.

  • Sudden dynamic contrasts create drama, reinforcing the sense of both danger and purification.

Interpretive Impact
The contrast between the sections mirrors the spiritual tension of the text: awe at the coming judgment and the transformative, often painful, process of purification. Handel’s scoring lets the listener feel the text—first through stillness and solemnity, then through an almost tangible heat and urgency. It’s one of the clearest examples in Messiah of his ability to translate scripture into vivid musical imagery.