Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

By Charles Wesley

Lyrics

1. 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 th'angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin's womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

3. 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 we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

#Christmas Carols

Bible Reference

Luke 2:14

About This Hymn

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is one of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time. Written by Charles Wesley, co-founder of the Methodist movement, the hymn originally began with the line “Hark how all the welkin rings” (welkin meaning “heaven” or “sky”). It was later revised to the now-familiar “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by George Whitefield, Wesley’s contemporary and fellow evangelist.

The majestic melody was adapted from a cantata by Felix Mendelssohn, who had composed the music to celebrate the invention of the printing press. William H. Cummings matched Wesley’s text with Mendelssohn’s music in the mid-19th century, creating the version widely sung today.

The hymn powerfully announces the birth of Christ, echoing the angelic proclamation in Luke 2:14. It celebrates the incarnation of Jesus—"God and sinners reconciled"—and expresses deep theological truths about peace, redemption, and the new birth.

French translation: "Ecoutez le chant des anges" by Violette Du Pasquier; German translation: "Hört die Engelchöre singen" by Johann Christoph Hampe Spanish translation: See "Oíd un son en alta esfera" by Federico Fliedner; Swahili translation: See "Mungu ni wa utukufu"