Beneficial Rain

In Mendelssohn’s libretto:

Elijah

O Lord, Thou hast overthrown Thine enemies and destroyed them. Look down on us from heaven, o Lord; regard the distress of Thy people. Open the heavens and send us relief. Help, help Thy servant now, o God!

The People

Open the heavens and send us relief. Help, help Thy servant now, o God!

Elijah

Go up now, child, and look toward the sea. Hath my prayer been heard by the Lord!

The Child

There is nothing. The heavens are as brass, they are as brass above me.

Elijah

When the heavens are closed up because they have sinned against Thee: yet if they pray and confess Thy name, and turn away from their sins when Thou dost afflict them: then hear from heaven, and forgive the sin. Help, send Thy servant help, o God!

The People

Then hear from heaven, and forgive the sin. Help, send Thy servant help, o God!

Elijah

Go up again, and still look towards the sea.

The Child

There is nothing. The earth is as iron under me

Elijah

Hearest thou no sound of rain! Seest thou nothing arise from the deep!

The Child

No: there is nothing.

Elijah

Have respect to the prayer of Thy servant, o Lord, my God! Unto Thee will I cry, Lord, my rock, be not silent to me! And Thy great mercies remember, Lord.

The Child

Behold, a little cloud ariseth now from the waters; it is like a man’s hand! The heavens are black with cloud and with wind; the storm rusheth louder and louder!

The People

Thanks be to God for all His mercies.

Elijah

Thanks be to God! For He is gracious; and His mercy endureth for evermore!

17. Chorus: Thanks be to God!

The People

Thanks be to God! He quencheth the thirsty land. The waters gather, they rush along, they are lifting their voices. The stormy billows are high, their fury is mighty. But the Lord is above them and almighty.