Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, 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.
Story Behind the Song: Joy to the world the Lord is Come
“Joy to the World” is a well-known Christmas hymn that was written by Isaac Watts, an English hymnwriter and theologian. He penned the lyrics to this hymn in 1719, and it was first published in his collection of hymns titled “The Psalms of David: Imitated in the Language of the New Testament.”
The hymn is based on Psalm 98 from the Bible, which celebrates the reign of God and the joy that will come when righteousness is established. Watts’s adaptation turned it into a jubilant proclamation of the arrival of the Messiah, focusing on the joy brought by the Savior’s birth rather than the original Psalm’s emphasis on God’s victory.
The music commonly associated with “Joy to the World” is not composed by Watts. Instead, it is set to a tune known as “Antioch,” which was arranged by Lowell Mason in 1839. The melody is believed to be inspired by portions of Handel’s Messiah, adding to the grand and celebratory nature of the hymn.
Over the years, “Joy to the World” has become a cherished part of Christmas celebrations around the world. Its uplifting lyrics and exuberant melody continue to inspire joy and festive spirit during the holiday season.
Also Read: Biography of Isaac Watts