LiturgyTools.net: Hymns about angels

Image:
An Angel Playing a Flageolet, Edward Burne-Jones

This is a selection of hymns (excluding Christmas carols) about angels.

Hymns in this list have a "substantial" mention of angels: typically angels are in more than one verse, or one verse has a great deal of detail about them, for example Holy God we Praise Thy Name with verse 2 including a reference to "cherubim and seraphim."

Hymns which have only a passing mention of angels are not included.

The list is in two parts: free-use hymns that can be used with no concerns about copyright (because they are in the public domain), and hymns that may still be copyright depending on the laws in your country.

About angels

An angel is a supernatural spiritual being who / which is a servant of God. They are often depicted as benevolent celestial intermediaries or messengers between God and human beings, protectors and guides for humans. In art, they have traditionally been shown as gentle, feminine characters with wings, harps and light coloured garments. In the Bible, they are described in more masculine terms - and the best known angels are Michael, Raphael and Gabriel.

There are a large number of older hymns about angels, and fewer modern ones. Conversely, there are a large number of modern / popular songs which are totally secular apart from including angels - these aren't included here.

Angels feature in a lot of Christmas songs, and also at resurrection, reflections about end times, in funeral hymns and also in some praise/worship hymns. Some people choose to focus on angels around the time of Halloween / All Saints / All Souls days.