December 11: Joy to the World

Third Week of Advent: Joy
December 11: Joy to the World (English) - Links & Lyrics Below

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 …. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:1,4 (ESV)

This psalm was the inspiration for Joy to the World, though its original author, Isaac Watts, never meant for his poem to be a Christmas song. It was merely his reinterpretation of the psalm in light of the magnificence of Jesus Christ. Over one hundred years later, part of his poem was set to music and became the beloved hymn we sing today.

Now that is something to be joyful about this Christmas. Because of Jesus Christ, we can, as the psalm says, sing to our Lord a new song—a song of forgiveness, grace, and redemption from our sin. We have received our hope of deliverance through God’s right hand of salvation through Christ our Lord.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King! Indeed, let heaven and nature sing!

So, make a joyful noise this Advent Season. Raise your voice, all you peoples. For, “he will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity” (Psalm 98:9). Let us break forth into the worship and praise our great God deserves! May the “glories of his righteousness and the wonders of his love” fill your hearts with joy this Christmas.

Pastor Joe Pytleski
Sturgeon Bay Community Church


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Link to YouTube Playlist



Joy to the world! The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every one prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing

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!


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