Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Daughters of St. Paul Lyrics
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"Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
"Glory to the new-born King!
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail, th'incarnate Deity,
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!
Hail! the heaven-born
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King !"
The lyrics of "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" by Daughters of St. Paul's convey the joyous message of the birth of Jesus Christ and the significance of his arrival on earth. The song begins by calling attention to the angels singing and proclaiming the glory of the new-born King. It speaks of peace on earth and the mercy of God, emphasizing the reconciling power of Jesus between God and sinners.
The second paragraph highlights the exaltation of Christ in the highest heavens and his eternal Lordship. It mentions that he came at a specific time in history as the offspring of a chosen and favored individual, referring to the Virgin Mary. Through the line "Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see," the lyrics point to the miracle of the Incarnation, where God took on human form in Jesus Christ. The song hails and praises Jesus as the incarnation of the deity, who willingly chose to dwell among humanity as our Emmanuel (meaning "God with us").
The third paragraph continues the adoration of Jesus, depicting him as the heaven-born Prince of peace and the Son of Righteousness. It emphasizes that he brings light, life, and healing to all those who believe in him. The line "Mild he lays his glory by" suggests the humility of Jesus, who willingly set aside his divine majesty to be born as a human. This act of self-emptying is described as a means to end human mortality, as Jesus was born so that humanity may attain eternal life.
The final line of the song reinforces the message of the entire song, calling everyone to listen to the angelic announcement and join in the proclamation of the glory of the new-born King. It encapsulates the central theme of the song by celebrating the birth of Jesus and acknowledging his purpose of giving mankind a second birth, which refers to spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ. Overall, the lyrics of "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" beautifully express the joy, praise, and profound significance of Jesus Christ's birth in Bethlehem.
Line by Line Meaning
Ark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The angels chosen to proclaim the birth of Jesus are singing
"Glory to the new-born King!"
Praise and honor be given to the newly born King, Jesus
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
May there be peace on earth and gentle forgiveness for all
God and sinners reconciled.
God is reconciling with sinful humanity, offering the chance to be united with Him
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
All nations, rise up and rejoice with great joy
Join the triumph of the skies
Join in the glorious celebration happening in the heavens
With th' angelic host proclaim
Together with the angelic beings, proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
That Christ, the Messiah, has been born in Bethlehem
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, who is honored and worshipped by the highest heavens
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Christ, the eternal and ultimate Lord
Late in time behold him come
At the appointed time, witness his arrival
Offspring of the favored one.
Born as the child of Mary, who found favor with God
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see
See the divinity, concealed in human form
Hail, th'incarnate Deity
Greetings to the God who took on human flesh
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell
God willingly chose to live among humanity as a man
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus, who is our God with us!
Hail! the heaven-born
Greetings to the one who is born in heaven
Prince of peace!
The ruler who brings peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Greetings to the Son who embodies righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings
He brings illumination and vitality to everyone
Risen with healing in his wings
He has risen, bringing healing and restoration
Mild he lays his glory by
Gently, he sets aside his divine splendor
Born that man no more may die
Born so that humanity may be saved from eternal death
Born to raise the son of earth
Born to lift up humanity, the children of the earth
Born to give them second birth.
Born to grant them a new spiritual life.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Listen! The angels chosen to proclaim the birth of Jesus are singing
"Glory to the new-born King!"
Praise and honor be given to the newly born King, Jesus
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Abkco Music Inc., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Wesley, Felix Mendelssohn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind