Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The Westminster Choir Lyrics
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Glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconcile.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Christ, by highest heaven 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 to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Sun 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 suns of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
The lyrics to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" are a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, known as the "newborn King." The song begins with the proclamation of the angels, urging everyone to listen and join in singing. The angels declare glory to Jesus, who brings peace to the earth and reconciles God with sinners. The song invites all nations to rejoice and be joyful, as they join in the triumph of announcing Christ's birth in Bethlehem.
The second verse highlights the divine nature of Jesus, describing him as the highest heaven adored and the everlasting Lord. It emphasizes the miracle of his birth from a virgin's womb and depicts him as the incarnation of God. It celebrates the fact that Jesus willingly chose to dwell among humanity, taking on human form as Emmanuel, which means "God with us."
The final verse pays tribute to Jesus as the heaven-born Prince of peace and the bringer of light and life to all. It portrays him as a savior who provides healing and salvation. Jesus is depicted as setting aside his divine glory to be born as a human, with the purpose of overcoming death and granting humanity a new birth. The song concludes by echoing the proclamation of the angels, declaring glory to the newborn King.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The messengers of God are singing,
Glory to the newborn King,
Praise to the newly arrived King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
May there be peace on earth, and gentle mercy,
God and sinners reconcile.
God and sinners come together in harmony.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
All nations, rise with joyfulness,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Be a part of the heavenly celebration;
with the angelic host proclaim,
Declare along with the angelic host,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem'
'The Savior, Christ, is born in Bethlehem'
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The messengers of God are singing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Praise to the newly arrived King.
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, highly worshipped in heaven,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Christ, the eternal Ruler,
Late in time behold him come,
At the appointed time, witness his arrival,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Born from a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Observe the Godhead concealed in human form;
Hail, the incarnate deity,
Greetings to the divine being in human form,
Pleased as Man with to dwell,
He is pleased to reside as a human,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Jesus, our God-with-us!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The messengers of God are singing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Praise to the newly arrived King.
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Greetings to the Prince of peace, born in heaven!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Greetings to the righteous Sun!
Light and life to all he brings,
He brings light and life to all,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Risen with the power to heal in his embrace.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Gently, he sets aside his divine majesty,
Born that man no more may die,
Born so that mankind may no longer face death,
Born to raise the suns of earth,
Born to elevate the people of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Born to grant them a new life.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Listen! The messengers of God are singing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Praise to the newly arrived King.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bartholdy Felix Mendelssohn, Daniel Martin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind