Crystal Lewis - 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 Saints and angels sing
And Saints and angels sing
And Saints and Saints and angels sing
Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns
Let Saints their songs employ
While fields and floods
rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, Repeat, the sounding joy
Joy to 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 and wonders of His love
No more will sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He'll come and make the blessings flow
Far as the curse was found,
Far as the curse was found,
Far as, far as the curse was found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And gives to nations proof
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love;
And wonders of His love;
And wonders, wonders of His love.
Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High,
While Israel spreads abroad
Like stars that glitter in the sky,
And ever worship God,
And ever worship God,
And ever, and ever worship God
Video
Joy to the World
Meaning & Inspiration
Crystal Lewis’s rendition of “Joy to the World,” released on February 16, 2022, invites us to reconnect with one of the most profound and hopeful anthems in the Christian tradition. While often associated solely with Christmas, this powerful hymn, originally penned by Isaac Watts in 1719, draws its primary inspiration not from the Nativity narrative directly, but from the triumphant declarations of Psalm 98, which foresees the Lord coming to judge the earth with righteousness. Lewis’s interpretation honors this expansive vision, presenting a song that celebrates not just Christ’s first arrival in humility, but His ongoing sovereignty and promised return in glory, a message that resonates far beyond a single season.
The true genius of Watts’ lyrics, beautifully conveyed through Lewis’s thoughtful delivery, lies in its forward-looking perspective on Christ’s redemptive work. The opening declaration, “Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King,” immediately calls to mind both the historical birth of Jesus and the prophetic anticipation of His ultimate reign. This dual fulfillment is central; while we rejoice in the infant Saviour, the command to “let every heart prepare Him room” challenges us to actively surrender our lives to Him, a concept echoed in Revelation 3:20 where Jesus stands at the door and knocks. The ensuing lines, “And Saints and angels sing,” paint a picture of universal worship, uniting earthly believers and heavenly hosts in adoration, a glimpse into the worship described in Revelation 5:11-12.
As the song progresses, the message shifts from anticipation to affirmation of Christ’s present and future reign: “Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns.” This isn’t a passive hope but an active truth—Christ holds all authority (Matthew 28:18) and sustains all things (Colossians 1:17). The invitation for “Saints their songs employ” and for "fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy" reflects the biblical truth that all creation groans for and will ultimately declare the glory of its Creator, as prophesied in Psalm 96:11-13 and Psalm 148. This expansive call to praise reminds us that Christ’s dominion extends over every facet of existence, a truth that brings immense encouragement and certainty.
The profound impact of Christ’s rule is further unpacked in the verses about His character and redemptive power: “Joy to the world with truth and grace. And makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.” Here, we see the essence of God revealed in Jesus—full of grace and truth (John 1:14), offering His righteousness to all who believe (Romans 3:22), and demonstrating a love so vast it transforms hearts and nations (Ephesians 2:4-5). The hope-filled proclamation, “No more will sin and sorrow grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He'll come and make the blessings flow Far as the curse was found,” directly references the Genesis curse (Genesis 3:17-19) and promises its reversal through Christ’s atoning work. This speaks to the ultimate restoration found in the new heaven and new earth, where “God will wipe away every tear...there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4). The blessings of His redemption are meant to reach every corner where the effects of sin have touched (Romans 5:17-21).
The repetition of Christ ruling “the world with truth and grace, And gives to nations proof The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love” reinforces the enduring nature of His character and mission. A particularly poignant addition to Watts’ original lyrics found in this version is the stanza: “Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High, While Israel spreads abroad Like stars that glitter in the sky, And ever worship God.” This verse thoughtfully weaves in God’s faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel, recalling the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 15:5 that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. It broadens the hymn's scope to encompass God's overarching plan for all peoples, through Israel, to come to worship Him, connecting it to the universal worship envisioned in Psalm 148. Crystal Lewis’s rendition, therefore, is not just a song about a historical event; it is a declaration of Christ’s eternal kingship, His redemptive power, and the ultimate hope for a restored creation that joyfully acknowledges His reign. It’s an inspiring call for every heart to prepare for and participate in the ongoing story of God’s glory, a story that culminates in universal worship and endless joy.