Lyrics
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 angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
All the angels sing
Christ the 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 man to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
All the angels sing
Glory to the King
All the angels sing
Hail heaven the 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 sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
All the angels sing
Glory to the King
All the angels sing
Glory to the King
All the angels sing
Glory to the King
All the angels sing
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Meaning & Inspiration
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” interprets Christ’s birth through a series of compact theological declarations. The opening joins the angels’ praise with peace, mercy, and reconciliation between God and sinners. Bethlehem is the setting, but the lyric quickly looks beyond the manger to the identity of Jesus: everlasting Lord, Emmanuel, and the divine one dwelling in human flesh. These titles give the carol a worshipful movement from announcement to confession.
The final verse connects the Nativity with the purpose of Christ’s coming. Images of light, life, healing, and second birth present the newborn King as the one who overcomes death and restores fallen humanity. “Healing in His wings” echoes Malachi’s image of the sun of righteousness, while “God and sinners reconciled” summarizes the peace proclaimed at Christ’s birth. Repeated responses of glory and angelic singing keep the doctrinal language from becoming abstract; each claim returns to praise. The result is a Christmas song shaped equally by celebration, incarnation, and salvation.
Related Scripture
- Luke 2:14 The angels give glory to God and announce peace at Christ’s birth.
- John 1:14 The Word becoming flesh corresponds to the lyric about the deity veiled in flesh.
- Malachi 4:2 The song directly echoes the image of righteousness rising with healing in its wings.