[2] The Foundling Hospital was a charitable institution founded in 1739 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram to house and educate abandoned and orphaned children.

It was established under royal charter by King George II and was supported by many noted figures of the day in high society and the arts.

The portrait painter and cartoonist William Hogarth was a founding governor, and thanks to his influence, the Foundling Hospital grew to become a very fashionable charity, counting among its benefactors a number of renowned artists.

It is possible that it was at this performance that royalty first stood for the "Hallelujah" chorus, establishing a long tradition, rather than at the 1743 London premiere of Messiah attended by King George II, as is popularly assumed.

He wrote a second version, probably arranged in 1751 for a service of dedication at the official opening of the Foundling Hospital Chapel.

At the performance of the revised score, the soloists were John Beard (tenor), Gaetano Guadagni (castrato), and two boy trebles from the Chapel Royal.

[2] It is not known why Handel chose to conclude this work with the "Hallelujah" chorus; the subject matter of the anthem is concerned with reward for the charitable, and Handel he may have intended to draw a theological connection with "the Kingdom of this world" becoming "the kingdom of our Lord", as illustrated in Christ's Parable of The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31–46).

O God, who from the suckling’s mouth ordaineth early praise, of such as worship Thee in truth accept the humble lays.

Handel's fundraising concerts of both the Foundling Hospital Anthem and Messiah were highly successful, raising almost £7000 (equivalent to over £1 million in modern money) and his contribution is remembered today.

These concerts are often charity fundraising events and are a tradition of Christmas music in Britain and America that dates back to the 1820s.