Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields (1) Lyrics

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Hark! The herald angels sing
""Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled""
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
""Christ is born in bethlehem""

Hark! The herald angels sing
""Glory to the newborn king!""

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting lord
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the godhead see
Hail the incarnate deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
""Glory to the newborn king!""

Hail the heav'n-born prince of peace
Hail the son of righteousness
Light and life to all he brings
Ris'n with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing
""Glory to the newborn King!""

Overall Meaning

The song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a joyous and celebratory hymn that proclaims the glory of the newborn King, Jesus Christ. The lyrics begin by calling upon the herald angels to sing and declare the glory of the newborn King. It speaks of peace on earth and the reconciliation between God and sinners through the birth of Jesus. The nations are urged to rise and join in the heavenly triumph as the angels proclaim the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. The refrain repeats the declaration of glory to the newborn King.

The second verse praises Christ as the one adored by the highest heaven and the everlasting Lord. It describes his miraculous birth from a virgin's womb and declares him as the incarnation of God. He is hailed as Emmanuel, which means "God with us," chosen to dwell among mankind. Again, the refrain emphasizes the glory to the newborn King.

The final verse exalts Christ as the heaven-born Prince of Peace and the Son of Righteousness. He is the bringer of light and life to all, with healing in his wings. It highlights his humility as he lays aside his glory to be born, with the purpose of saving humanity from death and offering them a second birth - a spiritual rebirth. The herald angels are called again to sing and declare the glory of the newborn King.

Overall, the lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" express the awe, joy, and reverence surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ and the significance of his coming into the world to bring salvation and peace to mankind.

Line by Line Meaning

Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen! The messengers from heaven are singing

Glory to the newborn King
Praise and honor to the newly born King

Peace on earth and mercy mild
May there be peace on earth and gentle forgiveness

God and sinners reconciled
God and sinners are brought back together

Joyful, all ye nations rise
All nations should rise with joy

Join the triumph of the skies
Join the glorious celebration in the heavens

With the angelic host proclaim:
Proclaim with the multitude of angels:

Christ is born in Bethlehem
The Messiah is born in Bethlehem

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ worshiped by the highest heaven

Christ the everlasting lord
Christ the eternal ruler

Late in time behold him come
In the fullness of time, see him arrive