John Henry Hopkins Jr – We Three Kings

Clergyman John Henry Hopkins Jr is the author of the famed We Three Kings at around 1857.  He wrote it for his nieces and nephews when they put on a Christmas pageant in New York City.  Insofar as print, the earliest record appears in his book Carols, Hymns and Songs, written in 1863.  He or his father are not to be confused with abolitionist John Hopkins, to whom the university and hospital are named in Baltimore, Maryland.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

The overall narrative recalls Matthew 2:1-12 referencing the Three King’s Magi’s journey towards Bethlehem, following a bright, majestic star from their Oriental east in a westward direction.  It goes into detail about the significance of their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that while speculative, are supported by modern scholarship.  Finally, it calls us to worship Christ as the Magi did 2,000 years ago.  It utilizes the poetic hymn style to beautifully parse out these themes.

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Overall, most of it is highly biblical, in accordance with modern scholarship; However, the first line of Verse 1 has a few issues.

This song is public domain.

[Verse 1]

We three kings of Orient are;

The Biblical record in Matthew 2:1-12 does not support the number “three” or that they were kings.  In fact, it states that they were Magi, pagan astrologers who were essentially 1st-century sorcerers, which is contrary to Deuteronomy 18:9-14.  It is also important to note that the sorcerer Simon was condemned in Acts 8 for his actions.

The number “three” is assumed given the number of gifts that they bring to Jesus.

Given that the Magi descended from east of Israel, it is not inconceivable that they could be oriental.

Bearing gifts we traverse afar,

According to Matthew 2:11, they brought three gifts to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Modern scholarship holds that the gifts hold spiritual significance: the gold for His kingship, frankincense for His position as high priest (Hebrews 7:13-17), and myrrh as a prefiguration of Christ’s death and resurrection.  Hopkins goes into more detail in later verses that this view supports.  More than, it is likely that these gifts symbolize a sacrifice of professional divination.

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star

While line 3 is perhaps conceivable, line 4 is supported in Matthew 2:1-12.

[Refrain]

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

In poetic fashion, Hopkins tells us that the star is bright, wonderous, and beautiful.  He is correct in stating that it is westward leading.

[Verse 2]

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

See commentary on Verse 1, line 2.

[Verse 3]

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him God Most High.

See commentary on Verse 1, line 2.

[Verse 4]

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

See commentary on Verse 1, line 2.

[Verse 5]

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia!, Alleluia!,
Peals through the Earth and skies.

Refers to the worship the Magi offer in Matthew 2:11.  We too should join in their praise.

Score: 8/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Curiously, a lot of unbelievers seem not familiar with this classic carol.  At least a lot of the ones surrounding me.  Still, the language utilized by Hopkins makes it quite obvious that it refers to the three “wise men” who journeyed west, following a star, and offered three gifts.  They may believe that it’s just a story and not historical, but the message is not compromised through linguistics nor does the inaccurate number and designation take much away from the core message.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies the God-man, Jesus and honors the sacrifice that the Magi gave to worship Him.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

Despite the inaccuracy about the Magi, John Hopkins Jr’s We Three Kings is a time-honored classic.  It is mostly biblical, calls us to glorify and worship Jesus, and recognized worldwide as a Christian tune.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Artist Info

Track: We Three Kings (listen to Sacred Rendition’s version)

Artist: John Henry Hopkins Jr

Album: NA

Genre: Christmas, Hymn

Release Year: 1857

Duration: N/A

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