Glory to God in the highest: This short hymn is known as the Gloria in excelsis Deo from the Latin translation of the first line. The Messiah’s coming brings glory to God in the heavens and peace to humans on earth.
peace to men on whom His favor rests: Peace means "complete well-being," not just the absence of hostility. The traditional translation, “on earth peace, good will toward men” in the King James Version, is based on the reading of some late manuscripts. The Berean Standard Bible text follows other early versions. Peace comes to those who receive God's grace.