A Thankful Heart and the Story of “Joy to the World”

The Story

Isaac Watts, an English minister and hymnist, published “Joy to the World” in a book of poems in 1719. Each of the poems was based on a Psalm and not originally intended for Christmas at all! “Joy to the World” was based on Psalm 98. Watts wanted to point readers to Christ’s work as revealed in the New Testament, and his interpretation celebrates Jesus as King and Savior. A century later, the second half of his poem was set to music and adapted for Christmas. 

The Song

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 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!

The Message

The fact that “Joy to the World” was not written as a Christmas hymn should remind us that we need to celebrate and worship our Savior all year long–and we can use this hymn! 

Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

May our hearts be ready to receive Him and respond in joy:

Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing!

For Jesus came to reverse the curse of sin:

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!

And he brings his truth, grace, righteousness, and love!

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love!

What a King and Savior we have!

Further Bible Reading: 

Psalm 98

Genesis 3:15

John 1:14

Ephesians 5:2

2 Corinthians 5:21