This Hymn is based on this Scripture passage.
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14
This hymn is attributed to England Poet Laureate Natum Tate. Until 1782, it was the only Christmas carol officially sanctioned by the Church of England. (source) All others hymns were taken from the Psalms.
Natum Tate and Nicholas Brady collaborated on a Psalter entitled New Version of the Psalms of David,
which they published in 1696 to replace an earlier Psalter that had
been published by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins in 1562. The
Psalter by Tate and Brady was adopted by the Anglican Church, and
endured as the standard work for the singing of psalms for more than a
century. (source)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord
came down
And glory shone around
And glory shone around
“Fear not,” he said,
For mighty dread
Had seized their
troubled minds
“Glad tidings of great
joy I bring
To you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind.”
“To you in David’s
Town this day
Is born of David’s line
The Savior who is Christ
the Lord
And this shall be the
sign
And this shall be the
sign.”
“The heavenly Babe
You there shall find
To human view displayed
And meanly wrapped In swathing bands
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid.”
Thus spake the seraph,
And forthwith
Appeared a shining
throng
Of angels praising God,
who thus
Addressed their joyful
song
Addressed their joyful
song
“All glory be to
God on high
And to the earth be
peace;
Goodwill henceforth
From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!”
I do enjoy this song. Thank you for sharing some background on it. – Lori
Oh good. 🙂
Another fun hymn study! These are great thanks!
glad you like them Sabrina. 🙂
Another great hymn study! I didn't realize this one dated so far back. Interesting!
I know, that information surprised me as well. 🙂
Oh WOW Annette that's interesting. Thank you for sharing. What a fabulous idea of doing a hymn a week. I shall look into doing that with Nathaniel in the new year 🙂
Thank you for all your support and encouragement and wonderful faithful comments on my blog this year they were much appreciated.
I enjoy it. 🙂 It's a good way to touch on the history of the church eh? 🙂