Day 12/Track 12: Joy to the World

Author: Isaac Watts, 1719

Tune: Antioch, George F. Handel

Scripture: Psalm 98

Unlike most Christmas hymns, Joy to the World, is less about the birth of Jesus and more about his second-coming. The author, Watts, uses the wisdom of the New Testament to interpret psalm 98.

Psalm 98:1-4;
1. 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.
2. The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3. He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;

I haven’t thought of this song in light of the second-coming before. It has taken on new depth for me and sparks more urgency to celebrate.

Singing this hymn unlocks memories of standing in church with family, the little kids squirming while we wrestle their coats on or off. It also carries a feeling of celebration and fun as we all try to hit the high notes. I’m not surprised that it is the most published hymn in North America.

Do you like to sing this hymn?

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