Scripture Verse

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Introduction

portrait
Philip Doddridge
1702–1751

Words: Phi­lip Dodd­ridge (1702–1751). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Found­ed on Va­ri­ous Texts in the Ho­ly Scrip­tures, by Job Or­ton (Shrop­shire, Eng­land: Jo­shua Ed­dowes & John Cot­ton, 1755), num­ber 201: The an­gels’ song at Christ’s birth.

Music: Ar­ling­ton Tho­mas A. Arne, 1762. Ar­ranged by Ralph Har­ris­on, 1784 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Thomas A. Arne
1710–1778

Lyrics

High let us swell our tuneful notes,
And join th’angelic throng;
For angels no such love have known
T’awake a cheerful song.

Good will to sinful men is shown,
And peace on earth is giv’n;
For lo! th’incarnate Savior comes
With messages from Heaven.

Justice and grace with sweet accord
His rising beams adorn;
Let Heav’n and earth in consort join
Now such a Child is born.

Glory to God in highest strains
In highest worlds be paid;
His glory by our lips proclaimed,
And by our lives displayed.

When shall we reach those blissful realms,
Where Christ exalted reigns,
And learn of the celestial choir
Their own immortal strains?