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!"
Christ by highest Heav'n 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!"
Our King has come
Our King has come
Glory to the King, Emmanuel
God with us!
Hail the Heav'n-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!"
Our King has come
Our King has come
Glory to the King, Emmanuel
God with us!
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Hark! Our King Has Come combines the familiar proclamation of a classic Christmas hymn with a concise refrain announcing Emmanuel. The verses move through Christ’s birth, incarnation, peace, light, healing, and gift of new life. Their language presents the manger not as an isolated scene but as the arrival of the everlasting Lord, where heaven’s glory meets humanity’s need for reconciliation.
The added refrain gathers those themes into a direct declaration: the King has come, and God is with his people. That confession closely reflects Matthew’s explanation of the name Emmanuel. The angels’ praise and announcement of peace also recall Luke’s nativity account, while the image of healing in the rising light echoes Malachi’s promise of the sun of righteousness. Together, the hymn verses and refrain celebrate Christmas as the coming of Jesus to dwell among humanity, reconcile sinners, defeat death, and bring the hope of second birth.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 1:23 Matthew identifies Jesus as Emmanuel, meaning God with his people.
- Luke 2:14 The angels praise God and announce peace at the birth of Jesus.
- Malachi 4:2 The promised sun of righteousness rises with healing in its rays.