Isaac Watts’ beloved hymn Joy to the World is a Christmas favourite - but did you know it wasn’t originally written as a carol?
Inspired by the second half of Psalm 98, the hymn celebrates the joy and hope of Jesus’ return, calling all creation to praise the coming King.
This Advent, we’re exploring how this powerful hymn points us beyond the manger to the promise of Christ’s second coming. This Sunday, Craig continues by exploring the second stanza with a powerful theme: He comes to make his blessings flow Far as, far as the curse is found.
Our world bears the weight of sin and brokenness, but God’s promises bring This verse in Joy to the World reminds us that Jesus comes to break sin’s curse and restore all things.
Romans 5 captures this truth, showing how one act of disobedience brought condemnation, while Christ’s obedience brings justification and life. As we reflect on Christ’s power to reverse the curse, may we be filled with fresh hope and joy in His redemptive work - both now and in the future.
Psalm 98
A psalm.
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;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn - shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
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