Joy to the World
A Christmas Hymn
The Story Behind Joy to the World
The lyrics of the hymn “Joy to the World” are by English writer Isaac Watts, inspired by Psalm 98, 96:11-12 and Genesis 3:17-18.
The hymn was originally printed in 1719 in Watts’ collection The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship.
The paraphrase is Watts’ theological interpretation of those scripture passages.
The nations of the world are asked to rejoice because God’s faithfulness to the house of Israel has delivered salvation to Earth.
Biblical Inspiration for “Joy to the World”
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy” ~ Psalm 96:11-12
“Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” ~ Psalm 150:1-9
Joy to the World – Lyrics, Hymn Meaning and Story (godtube.com)
Joy to the World
The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Lk. 2:10
Luke 2:10 — Bible (timelesstruths.org)
Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
… And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
Joy to the world! The Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
… Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
…. Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
… Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
…. And wonders of His love
… And wonders, wonders of His love
Joy to the World
A Christmas Hymn
Written by: Isaac Watts, an English hymn writer.
Also Read : She had a heart that was yielded to God… – Diademng (thediademng.org)
