Welkin?
According to Websters, welkin is “the vault of the sky, firmament,” or “celestial abode of God.” And when Charles Wesley penned the words of a now familiar carol, he wrote, Hark! How all the welkin rings, Glory to the King of kings.
Wesley’s colleague, George Whitefield, tweaked the first line and published the song. Wesley was furious—his carefully crafted verse was no longer biblically accurate.
Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God…”
Saying, not singing.
Heavens rang. Absolutely. Angels sang. Maybe not.
Ah, the welkin! One of my favourite words, like empyrean.
And Elysium!