Hark / Again I Say Rejoice

Israel Houghton's “Hark / Again I Say Rejoice” combines Charles Wesley's Christmas carol with a line from Paul's letter to the Philippians. The carol is sung in full: “Hark the herald angels sing / Glory to the newborn King,” followed by “Peace on earth and mercy mild / God and sinners reconciled.” The chorus calls on the nations to rise and “join the triumph of the skies.”

The third verse is the most doctrinal part of the carol, and the recording keeps it. “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace / Hail the Son of Righteousness” leads to “Risen with healing in His wings,” then to “Born that man no more may die / Born to raise the sons of earth / Born to give them second birth.” The ending changes the mood from awe to joy, repeating “Rejoice, and again I say rejoice.”

The herald angels echo Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.” The healing wings come from Malachi 4:2, and the closing refrain is Philippians 4:4, where Paul writes “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”