My hubby and I actually had a conversation about this verse a couple days ago. This actual translation of the text is different then the meaning given in most translation. See here. "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." The problem word is εὐδοκίας (eudokias). It can mean everything from "whom his favour rests" or "of his good pleasure"... which is why different translations seem to mean something slightly different, depending on the meaning taken. :)
Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest, in the highest, in the highest! Peace be on earth, peace be on earth, to the people whom God delights in. Glory to God in the highest! Glory to God in the highest! Peace be on earth, peace be on earth, peace be on earth, peace be on earth, to the people, to the people whom God delights in, to the people whom God delights in, whom God delights in. Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest, in the highest, in the highest! Peace be on earth, peace be on earth, to the people whom God delights in. Amen. Amen. | Ere zij God, ere zij God, in de hoge, in de hoge, in de hoge! Vrede op aarde, vrede op aarde, in de mensen een welbehagen. Ere zij God in de hoge, ere zij God in de hoge. Vrede op aarde, vrede op aarde, vrede op aarde, vrede op aarde, in de mensen, in de mensen een welbehagen, in de mensen een welbehagen, een welbehagen. Ere zij God, ere zij God in de hoge, in de hoge, in de hoge! Vrede op aarde, vrede op aarde, in de mensen een welbehagen. Amen. Amen. |
Lyricist Bikkers Isaac introduced us to this one in his hymnal of 1857. It is a much beloved hymn in the Netherlands and Germany (Ehre sei Gott). The hymn itself was written by F.A. Schultz, about which little is known, other than he was a composer during his college years.
It was rather difficult to find the English version, this seemed the best of the three I could find. :) They do the Dutch first, then the English. :)