Lyrics
Verse 1
Chorus
I have this joy- joy unspeakable
That flows inside- full of glory
I just can't hide
One thing I know- and it's for sure
That you can't take- my joy
Material things can be taken away
By the ones that I'm slow to pay
Some even try and will deceive
To take my faith away but never succeed
There's something else- I know-
And its for sure
That you can't take my joy
This joy that I have removes all my doubts
This joy calms my fears
Oh what sweet such wonderful joy
It lifts you up-- and dries all my tears
Verse 2
This joy makes me love all your enemies
This joy me love all your friends
It'll put a smile on your face- when there's
Somebody always trying to take your place
This joy that I have the world didn't give it to me
This joy that I have the world can't take it away
It makes me love everyday
When, trying to your place
Tag
One thing I know-- and it's for sure
That you can't take-- my joy
Can't take it-- You can't take my joy
Can't take it-- You can't take my joy
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
You Can't Take My Joy is a gospel declaration of a joy that circumstances cannot remove. The chorus describes joy unspeakable that flows inside and cannot be hidden, with the sure knowledge that no one can take it. The verse says material things can be taken, people may deceive and try to take faith away, but they never succeed.
The next section says the joy removes doubts, calms fears, dries tears and makes the singer love enemies and friends, because the world did not give it and the world cannot take it away. The theme follows 1 Peter 1:8 on joy inexpressible and full of glory, John 16:22 where no one will take joy away, Nehemiah 8:10 on the joy of the Lord as strength, and Romans 12:14-21 on loving enemies. The repeated tag and chorus make it a confident, uplifting song for a gospel choir.
Related Scripture
- 1 Peter 1:8 Believers rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.
- John 16:22 Jesus says no one will take His followers' joy from them.
- Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is the people's strength.