Big Daddy Weave - Joy to the World Lyrics
Lyrics
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 world, 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 sorrows 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
Video
Big Daddy Weave - Joy! He Shall Reign (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Big Daddy Weave’s rendition of the timeless hymn, "Joy to the World," released on October 16, 2012, as part of the *WOW Christmas 2017* album, stands as a powerful declaration of Christ’s reign. While often associated with Christmas, the hymn, originally penned by Isaac Watts in 1719, was not intended to celebrate the Nativity, but rather to anticipate Christ's Second Coming, drawing heavily from Psalm 98. Big Daddy Weave skillfully revitalizes this profound message, ensuring its enduring relevance by focusing on the present and future impact of Jesus's sovereignty. Their version invites contemplation on the depth of the hymn's theology, bringing its scriptural foundations to the forefront and encouraging a holistic understanding of Christian joy.
The opening stanza, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King," serves as both an announcement and an invitation. It declares the undeniable truth of Christ's arrival, echoing John 1:14, where "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." The subsequent call to "Let earth receive her King" is an active command, not a passive suggestion. This reception is personal, as articulated by "Let every heart prepare Him room," a poignant reminder of the inn with no room for Jesus in Luke 2:7, now transformed into a spiritual plea for an open heart. This preparation aligns with Revelation 3:20, where Christ stands at the door and knocks, desiring entrance. The stanza culminates with the majestic vision of "heaven and nature sing," reflecting the universal adoration anticipated in Psalm 96:11-12, "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord."
The second stanza solidifies the enduring nature of Christ's rule: "Joy to the world, the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ." This is a directive for humanity to actively participate in worship, a direct parallel to Psalm 100:1-2, which urges all the earth to "make a joyful noise to the Lord... come into his presence with singing!" The hymn then broadens this call to praise beyond mankind, asserting that "While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains / Repeat the sounding joy." This imagery paints a picture of creation itself joining in the chorus of praise, a concept deeply rooted in Scripture. Psalm 148, for instance, calls upon everything from the sun and moon to mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars, to praise the Lord's name, demonstrating that Christ's reign evokes a response from all of existence.
The third stanza delves into the redemptive consequences of Christ’s coming: "No more let sins and sorrows grow; Nor thorns infest the ground." This powerfully references the curse of sin introduced in Genesis 3:17-18, where the ground was cursed and would yield thorns and thistles as a result of humanity's fall. The promise here is that Christ’s presence begins to reverse that curse. "He comes to make His blessings flow / Far as the curse is found" is a profound declaration of the scope of God’s redemption. It assures us that Christ's work is not limited but expansive, reaching into every corner of a fallen world, far beyond just human hearts, to transform and restore all of creation. This echoes the hope found in Romans 8:19-21, where creation itself groans, eagerly awaiting the full revelation of God's children and its liberation from bondage to decay.
Finally, the fourth stanza describes the character and ultimate triumph of Christ's dominion: "He rules the world with truth and grace." This contrasts sharply with earthly governance, highlighting divine justice tempered by boundless mercy, a core attribute of God as revealed in John 1:14, where Jesus is described as "full of grace and truth." The concluding lines, "And makes the nations prove / The glories of His righteousness / And wonders of His love," speak to a future where Christ's perfect justice and boundless compassion will be universally acknowledged and demonstrated. This aligns with the ultimate vision of Philippians 2:10-11, proclaiming that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Big Daddy Weave’s rendition of "Joy to the World" therefore serves as more than a festive tune; it is a profound theological statement, calling us to recognize Christ's past triumph, celebrate His present reign, and anticipate His glorious future, inspiring a deep, abiding joy that transcends circumstance.