Thus Angels Sung
A Christmas hymn from the seventeenth century, recalling the song the angels sang to the shepherds of Bethlehem.
The Annunciation to the Shepherds by Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp (detail).
By Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp (1612–1652), Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
Introduction
George Wither was a poet and satirist who fought alongside Charles I against the Scottish Covenanters, and against him in the Civil War. He wrote several hymns, and made a translation of the Psalms into lyric verse. This Christmas hymn was published in Hymns and Songs of the Church (1623).
Thus angels sung, and thus sing we;
to God on high all glory be:
let Him on Earth His Peace bestowe,
and unto men His favour show.
If angels sung at Jesus’ birth
Then we have greater cause for mirth,
For it was all for our poor sake
He did our human nature take.
Dear Christ, thou didst thyself abase
Thus to descend to human race
And leave thy Father’s throne above:
Lord, what could move thee to such love?
Man, that was made out of the dust,
He found a paradise at first:
But see! the God of heaven and earth,
Laid in a manger at his birth.
Surely the manger where he lies
Doth figure forth his sacrifice;
And, by his birth, may all men see
A pattern of humility.
Stupendous Babe, my God and King!
Thy praises will I ever sing,
In joyful accents raise my voice,
And in the praise of God rejoice.
My soul, learn by thy Saviour’s birth
For to abase thyself on earth,
That I may bee exalted high
To live with him eternally.
With angels therefore sing again,
to God on high all glory be;
for Peace on Earth bestoweth He;
and showeth favour unto men.
Related Video
This is a recording of the first verse of the hymn, sung to the tune ‘Song 34’ by contemporary composer Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625).
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