Hark! The Harold Angels Sing

About the Carol

"Hark! The Harold Angels Sing" was first published in 1739 by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) as "Hark, How all the Welkin Rings." It was not until 1753 when George Whitefield (1714-1770) altered the first two lines into what we know today.

Lyrics ^{Back to Top ↑}

Analysis of Carol ^{Back to Top ↑}

Jesus is Lord and shows the way to the Father. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.^{John 14:7}

And Jesus was human, so much so that John writes that this is a distinguishing feature of the Spirit of God, Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.^{1st John 4:2}

Yes, Jesus was born on Earth, but he was in heaven before he was on Earth. That is why Jesus os able to say, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.^{John 5:58}

True. Jesus said, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.^{John 8:12}

This is a tricky line. We cannot interpret it to mean that there is no more death on Earth, as people are still dying. Instead, it should be interpreted as saying that Jesus is bringing eternal life. Even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.^{John 3:14, 15}

Another truth. This is why Jesus said to Nicodemus, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.^{John 3:3}

The term "Desire of Nations" comes from a prophecy in Haggai, who wrote, And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.^{Haggai 2:7}

This is in reference to perhaps the first prophecy in the Bible, spoken of by God to the serpent in the Garden of Eden, And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.^{Genesis 3:15}

It's possible the author is speaking about the restriction here, when we will all be given glorified bodies. John wrote about this as well, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.^{1st John 3:2}