December 3 

Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes 

TEXT: Philip Doddridge

b. June 26, 1702, London, England

d. October 26, 1751, Lisbon, Portugal

Philip Doddridge was the last and twentieth child born to Daniel Doddridge, a London dealer in oil and pickles! His grandfather had been a nonconformist minister and was ejected from the Church of England for his radical positions. Before he could read, Doddridge’s mother, Elizabeth, taught him the Bible from their home’s blue Dutch wall tiles embedded with Scriptures. Sadly, both parents died by the time he was twelve, and by age thirteen, his guardian had squandered Doddridge’s inheritance. However, Presbyterian minister Samuel Clark cared for him as a son, overseeing Doddridge’s education and encouraging him to become a minister. At Clark’s funeral, Doddridge preached, “To him, under God … I owe even myself, and all my opportunities of public usefulness in the church.”¹⁵

Doddridge followed the path of nonconforming ministers, and in 1723, became pastor of an independent church in Northampton. His book The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul was referred to by Charles Spurgeon as “that holy book.” It also influenced William Wilberforce, the anti-slave trade campaigner, to become a Christian. Along with a New Testament commentary and numerous theological works, Doddridge wrote over 400 hymns. His hymn “O Happy Day” is known today because of a joyous Black-gospel setting in 1967 by the Edwin Hawkins singers. Despite a dismal early childhood, Doddridge found great joy in his salvation and walk with God.

TUNE: Attributed to Thomas Haweis

b. January 1, 1732, Cornwall, England

d. February 11, 1820, Bath, England

Though raised in poverty, Thomas Haweis (pronounced, “hawes”) was educated at Oxford and became an apothecary and physician. After being introduced to the gospel, he left this career for ministry. He created a book of 139 of his hymns called Carmina Christi or Hymns to the Savior. CHESTERFIELD (also known as RICHMOND) is one of the best marriages of tune and text. The first four notes use the same interval motif as the trumpet “Call to Post” in horse racing! The melody winds in a rising succession to a climax on the words “throne,” “burst,” “grace,” and “ring” for each stanza.

As you sing this hymn … a smile will come to your face as you sing, “Hark! the glad sound!” Imagine Jesus’ arrival in a royal caravan preceded by heralding trumpets. With joy, we anticipate what the arrival means—the release of captives, the opening of prisons, the healing of broken hearts, and the riches of grace for the humble poor. Consider the prophecy in Isaiah 61:1 and Jesus’ own declaration in Luke 4:18 from which Doddridge draws, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

Of course, Christ’s coming to Bethlehem had none of the hymn’s fanfare apart from an amazing angel choir! Today gladness is exclaimed in “Hosannas” (st. 4) for this coming Prince of Peace. Even the arches of heaven, Doddridge proclaims, are ringing with praise of His name. Make this hymn your proclamation of true Advent joy!