Elevation Worship - Hark The Herald Angels Sing Lyrics
Lyrics
Hark! The herald angels sing
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 angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born 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 with us in flesh to dwell
Jesus, our Immanuel
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 sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born king
Video
Hark The Herald Angels Sing | Elevation Worship
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on October 27, 2023, as part of their album *Echo The Angels*, Elevation Worship's rendition of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" breathes new life into one of Christianity’s most cherished hymns. This selection is not merely a cover but a powerful re-imagining that invites a contemporary generation into the profound theological truths first penned by Charles Wesley. The song's essence lies in its unwavering declaration of the Nativity, moving beyond simple narrative to unpack the divine intervention, the cosmic peace, and the radical reconciliation offered through Christ's birth.
The opening lines immediately immerse the listener in the angelic proclamation from Luke 2:10-14, where heavenly hosts announce "Glory to the new-born king." This isn't just a birth announcement but a divine decree, a moment where heaven intersects with earth to herald a new era. The subsequent declaration, "Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled," resonates deeply with the core message of the Gospel. Prior to Christ, humanity was separated from God by sin, yet through His coming, a pathway to restoration was forged. As Romans 5:10 states, "while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son," a reconciliation foreshadowed and made possible by His very incarnation. This peace is not merely an absence of conflict but a profound spiritual wholeness and renewed relationship with the Creator, as affirmed in 2 Corinthians 5:19, where "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ."
The hymn then broadens its scope, issuing a universal invitation: "Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies." This call echoes prophecies like Isaiah 49:6, which foretold Christ as a "light for the Gentiles," inviting all peoples, not just a select few, to participate in the celestial celebration. The angels' proclamation that "Christ is born in Bethlehem" roots this grand cosmic event in a specific historical place, fulfilling ancient prophecies like Micah 5:2, emphasizing the tangible reality of God’s entrance into human history.
Central to the song’s theological weight is the profound mystery of the incarnation itself: "Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb." This segment articulates the dual nature of Christ – fully God and fully man. He is the "everlasting Lord," eternally existent with God, as illuminated in John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Yet, He humbly entered creation "late in time," born of a virgin, fulfilling Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23, where His name "Immanuel" means "God with us." The lines "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel" beautifully capture the breathtaking humility and love of God, choosing to dwell among humanity. Philippians 2:6-7 describes this divine condescension, where Christ, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
The song culminates by outlining Christ’s purpose and redemptive power: "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." These titles draw directly from scripture, with "Prince of Peace" from Isaiah 9:6 and "Son of Righteousness" from Malachi 4:2, which also speaks of the sun of righteousness rising "with healing in its wings." This healing is not merely physical but comprehensive—spiritual, emotional, and eternal, bringing "light and life" as John 8:12 proclaims, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The implication of His resurrection, "Risen with healing in His wings," subtly but powerfully points beyond the manger to the cross and empty tomb, establishing the full scope of His saving work. The profound statement, "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," encapsulates the ultimate sacrifice and purpose of the incarnation. His willingness to humble Himself, exchanging divine majesty for human vulnerability, was driven by the desire to conquer death (Romans 6:23) and offer humanity spiritual renewal, a "second birth" as taught by Jesus in John 3:3-7, enabling a transformed life rooted in Him.
Elevation Worship's rendition of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" therefore stands as a potent reminder of the enduring truth and transformative power of Christ's birth. By emphasizing the profound theological statements within Wesley's lyrics, the song serves as an inspiring call to reflect on the nature of God, the gift of reconciliation, and the ultimate hope offered through Immanuel. It champions the message that the event celebrated at Christmas is not just a historical moment but a continuous invitation to experience the peace, light, and new life that only Christ provides.