joy to the world
Psalm 98:4
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Christmas in September? Why not!
Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King! When Isaac Watts wrote this beautiful poem he didn't intend it to be used as a Christmas anthem.
In 1948 an American composer named Lowell Mason took Watt's poem and set it to the tune of "Antioch." He then pulled in music from George Frederic Handel and a Christmas classic was born!
Watts was originally inspired by Psalm 98 to write Joy to the World. Psalm 96 and 98 are companion Psalms that share much of the same styles and themes. They begin the same and end the same. In our Psalm for today we focus on verse 4 and are encouraged to make a joyful noise to the Lord. We should make it a habit to break into song because of the joy in our hearts. I love how the verses that follow involve the use of instruments to praise the Lord, and then nature (the seas, the rivers, and the hills) join in to celebrate His goodness.
I love how the 9 verses of Psalm 98 glorify God. In verses 1-3 God is glorified in His saving of Israel. In verses 4-6 His majesty is seen by the world, and nature can't help but join in the song. The climax comes in verses 7-9 where a picture of Jesus coming into the world as a righteous judge is given!
Are we starting to see a picture of Christmas?
Psalm 98 teaches us how to respond to the good news of Jesus. Go and read the 9 verses and learn the roadmap of singing, clapping, and shouting for joy over the arrival of Christ in your life. Keep His arrival clear in your mind the next time you join a church congregation for praise and worship.
Don't stay silent. Don't sit on your hands. Lift your voice and sing (and maybe even grab a tambourine).
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN. If you would like to support this website and make it possible for this page to stay active and these devotions to reach a wider audience, CLICK HERE
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Please be okay with me buying and playing a tambourine from my pew seat next Sunday. 😉