The story behind the hymn
Isaac Watts did not write “Joy to the World” as a Christmas carol. It appeared in 1719 in The Psalms of David Imitated as the second part of his paraphrase of Psalm 98, under the heading “The Messiah’s Coming and Kingdom.” Watts was reading the psalm in the light of Christ.
The tune most often used, ANTIOCH, is usually credited to Handel and arranged by Lowell Mason, though some believe Mason only changed a few notes of an existing melody. Its opening phrase is often said to echo passages from Handel’s Messiah.
Because the hymn speaks of a coming and a reign, it fits Advent as well as Christmas morning. It is a hymn about a king whose rule is still arriving.
The Scripture behind it
Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth!
Psalm 98:4 (World English Bible)
Read the whole of Psalm 98 to see where Watts began.
A short reflection
Joy in this hymn is not only about a baby in a manger. It looks ahead to the whole creation set right. This Christmas, let it widen your hope beyond one day.
Lord Jesus, you have come and you will come again. Let me sing for joy today. Amen.
The full words
Read the full words of this hymn, with tunes and scores, on Hymnary.org.
Read the full hymn text →Source for author, dates and public-domain status: Hymnary.org. Scripture quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).