Hark!

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”

Luke 2: 13-24 NIV

Most of us know the exclamation, “Hark!” from the well-known Christmas hymn, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” written by Charles Wesley. We are called to listen to the angels as they sing a song of glory to God and peace on earth.

Hark is an Old English word that means to ‘listen up!” or to pay very close attention.  It is an imperative command to draw attention to something important or to urge someone to listen carefully.  While the word hark is found in a few modern day translations of the bible, such as the Amplified Bible Classic Edition, it is more often found in older translations such as the King James Version.

In both the Old and New Testaments, we find the word “hark,” or its meaning, woven into Scripture as a divine call: to declare, to command, to protect, and to warn.

Declaration

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns! Hark! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they sing for joy; for they shall see eye to eye the return of the Lord Zion.  Break forth joyously, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem!”

Isaiah 52: 7-9 AMPC

The prophet Isaiah declares the good news of salvation with a triumphant “Hark!” This is a call for God’s people to lift their voices in joyful proclamation. To declare is to announce openly what God has done and to proclaim His reign. Just as the angels declared Christ’s birth with songs of glory, we are invited to echo their message in our own lives.  Our declarations carry the hope of redemption to a weary world. When we “hark” the message of God’s salvation, it stirs both our hearts and our voices to testify that “Our God reigns!” In every generation, God calls His people not only to hear His truth but to declare it boldly so that others may lift their eyes to the Redeemer who brings comfort and restoration.  This is truly the call of the Great Commission!

Command

“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.  And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 NLT

This section of scripture is called the Shema, a prayer.  The word Shema is Hebrew for "hear" or "listen." This means to both hear and obey, emphasizing an active and internal devotion rather than just passive hearing. In the opening section of Deuteronomy where this famous prayer first appears, Moses is addressing Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. He is urging them to not repeat the mistakes of their parents’ generation, wanting them to experience the full blessing of the promised land. But to do so, the people must learn to listen to and love God fully, above all else. The call to “Hark!” can be an invitation to cultivate a life of prayer and reflection.

Protect

“Listen, you lovers of God! Hate evil, for God can keep you from wrong and protect you from the power of wickedness.”

Psalm 97:10 TPT

To hark is not only to listen, but also obey. When we tune our ears to His voice, we find shelter from deception, distraction, and discouragement. God’s Word becomes our safeguard, guiding our steps and strengthening our faith when fear or confusion tries to creep in. The command to “listen” throughout Scripture is often linked to protection. It is the loving warning of a Father who watches over His children. When we heed His voice, we walk in wisdom and safety, guarded by His faithfulness and grace, that protects us from the power of wickedness.

Warn

“Hark, the uproar of a multitude in the mountains, like that of a great people!  The noise of the tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathering together!  The Lord of hosts is mustering the host for the battle.  They come from a distant country, from the uttermost part of the heavens [the far east] - even the Lord and the weapons of His indignation - to seize and destroy the whole land.” AMPC

When Isaiah cries, “Hark!” it is not a gentle whisper but a rallying call to attention.  It is a warning and assurance that the Lord Himself is rising to defend His people. The nations may gather, the noise of chaos may rise, but above it all stands the Lord of Hosts, mustering His heavenly army for battle. To “hark” in this context is to listen for the sound of God’s movement, the rustle of His protection in the midst of earthly turmoil. When we hear His voice, we are reminded that our Defender is not distant; He is actively working on our behalf. The Lord’s might is not meant to terrify His children but to secure them under His covering. In the clamor of the world, those who “hark,” who listen and trust, find peace in knowing that the God of Heaven’s Armies fights for them.

From the angelic announcement over Bethlehem to the prophetic cries of Isaiah, the call to “Hark!” has always been Heaven’s invitation to listen to the voice of God. It is a summons to declare His salvation, to obey His commands, to rest in His protection, and to heed His warnings. When we “hark,” we do more than simply hear; we respond with faith and action. The same God who spoke through prophets and angels still speaks today, calling His people to listen closely and live attentively. May we, like the shepherds who first heard the angels sing, listen well, respond with joy, and carry the good news of great joy into all the world.

Reflection and Prayer

Take some time today to honestly answer these questions and pray for the Lord to show you areas where you need to “Hark!” in obedience to Him.

What message of hope or testimony is God asking me to declare in this season?

Have I been truly listening for God’s voice, or just hearing without responding?

In what areas of my life do I need to rest under God’s protection instead of striving on my own?

Is God calling me to speak truth in love, to warn, encourage, or intercede for someone?

“Hark, your watchman lift up their voices; together they sing for joy; for they shall see eye to eye the return of the Lord to Zion.  Break forth joyously, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem!  The Lord has made bare His holy arm before the eyes of all the nations [revealing Himself as the One by Whose direction the redemption of Israel from captivity is accomplished], and all the ends of the earth shall witness the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 52: 8-10 AMPC