Scripture Verse

A multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke2:13–14

Introduction

portrait
George F. Handel
1685–1759

Words: Will­iam Hurn, Psalms and Hymns (Ips­wich, Eng­land: J. Raw, 1813), num­ber 137.

Music: Christ­mas, from the op­e­ra Ci­roë (Cy­rus), by George F. Han­del, 1728. Ar­ranged in Har­mon­ia Sacra, 1812 (🔊 pdf nwc) (re­peats last line of each verse).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Hurn (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

Lyrics

Angels rejoiced and sweetly sung
At our Redeemer’s birth;
Mortals awake! let every tongue
Proclaim His matchless worth.

Glory to God, who dwells on high,
And sent His only Son
To take a servant’s form, and die
For evils we had done.

Peace to the earth, the woman’s seed
Is come to free the slave;
To bruise the infernal serpent’s head,
And to destroy the grave.

Good will to men; ye fallen race,
Arise, and shout for joy;
He comes with rich, abounding grace
To save, and not destroy.

Lord, send the gracious tidings forth,
And fill the world with light,
That Jews and Gentiles through the earth
May know Thy saving might.

Ye poor, who tremble at the word,
Distressed, and helpless, too,
O come and welcome to the Lord,
For He was born for you.