Joy To The World

 

"Yes, it is true! Surely I am coming quickly!

Yes, come, Lord Jesus!"

(Revelation 22:20)

Christ Light 

(2017)

Daniel Holeman

 Painting courtesy/Fine Art America

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 sorrow 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"
(1719)
Isaac Watts
(1674-1748)
English Congregational minister,
 hymn writer, theologian.

The Story Behind The Song

Reverend Isaac Watts

Image courtesy/Wikipedia

Although this beloved hymn is sung in Christian churches all over the world
during the Season of Advent,  Isaac Watts actually based, "Joy To The World"
 on the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the future time when Messiah
 will rule the world, "with truth and grace" from His Kingdom in Jerusalem.

 Reverend Watts took much inspiration for his song from Psalm 96 and
 Psalm 98, respectively, because he said, "Their conclusions are both alike."

"Before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge and govern the earth!
He shall judge the world with righteousness and justice and the peoples
with faithfulness and truth."
(Psalm 96:13)

Corresponding Old Testament verses:

"Sing to the Lord all the earth; 

show forth from day to day His salvation.
.
Declare His glory among the nations;

 His marvelous works among all the peoples.

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;

 He is to be reverently feared above all so-called gods.

For all the gods of the people are lifeless idols,

 but the Lord made the heavens.

Honor and majesty are found in His presence; 

strength and joy are found in His sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples,

 ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name.  

Bring an offering and come before Him; 

worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness 

and in holy array.

Tremble and reverently fear before Him, 

all the earth's peoples;

the world also shall be established,

 so it cannot be moved.

Let the heavens be glad

 and let the earth rejoice;

and let men say among the nations,

 The Lord reigns!

Let the sea roar,

 and all the things that fill it;

let the fields rejoice, 

and all that is in them.

Then shall the trees of the wood

 sing out for joy before the Lord,

 for He comes to judge and govern the earth.

O give thanks to the Lord for He is good;

 for His mercy and

loving-kindness endure forever!

(1 Chronicles 16:23-34)

Corresponding New Testament verse:

"After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse appeared!

The One Who was riding it was called Faithful, Trustworthy, Loyal,

Incorruptible, Steady, and True, and He passes judgment and wages

war in Righteousness, Holiness, Justice, and Uprightness!"

(Revelation 19:11)

Maranatha!

Joy To The World

(1962)

Nat King Cole