Song Synopsis:
Samson grieves at his slavery, his blindness, and his wife's betrayal while his captors the Philistines honor Dagon in a festival. Micah and the Israelites ask God to help Samson, and Dalila tries to enamour Samson again. Samson challenges Harapha to a duel, but he will not fight with a blind man, so Micah suggests that they measure the power of Dagon versus the god of the Israelites. Samson devises a plan for the festival of Dagon - he attends as a captive and pulls the building down on himself and the Philistines. The Israeli children mourn him and praise God.	

Character:
Soprano	

Song Context:
The children of Israel praise God.	

Fun Facts:
1. The oratorio Samson is based on John Milton's Samson Agonistes.  
2. The oratorio premiered at Covent Garden in London on February 18, 1743, and was a huge success. It remained popular throughout Handel's life, as well as afterwards.