A metal vapor discharge lamp whose near-infrared radiation is stronger than a conventional high-pressure discharge lamp, a projector utilizing this discharge lamp, and a metal vapor discharge lamp lighting device are disclosed. The metal vapor discharge lamp comprises a refractory light-transmitting hermetic vessel, a pair of electrode fixed to the hermetic vessel, and a discharge medium sealed in the hermetic vessel and containing a halide and a rare gas. Most of the light irradiated when the discharge lamp is in the ON state has near-infrared wavelengths (750 1100 nm).