Mariah Carey - Joy To the World Lyrics
Lyrics
Joy to the world
The Lord has 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 Lord has 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 earth
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
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the people everywhere you see
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the people everywhere you see
Joy to you and me
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
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the people everywhere you see
Joy to you and me
Joy to the people everywhere you see
Joy to you and me
Video
Mariah Carey - Joy to the World (Live at St. John the Divine)
Meaning & Inspiration
Mariah Carey’s rendition of "Joy to the World," released in 2016, is a powerful testament to the enduring message of this classic carol, elevating its familiar words with a profound spiritual gravitas, particularly in its live performance context. This particular version, though released in 2016, draws its soul from centuries of faith and tradition, presenting the song not merely as a festive tune, but as a direct proclamation of Christian truth. The core of "Joy to the World" is its announcement of the incarnation and the reign of Jesus Christ. The lyrics, echoing from Isaac Watts' inspired paraphrase of Psalm 98, declare unequivocally, "The Lord has come" and "Let Earth receive her King." This is the bedrock of Christian belief: the King of Kings has entered human history, a concept deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies anticipating the Messiah. Isaiah, for instance, foretold, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). The call to "prepare Him room" is a direct invitation for personal acceptance of this divine King, mirroring the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth. It speaks to the spiritual readiness required to welcome Him, not just in our collective consciousness as a world, but in the intimate space of our individual hearts.
The jubilant cry, "And heaven and nature sing," is not just poetic imagery; it’s a theological statement about the cosmic significance of Christ's arrival. The birth of Jesus is not a minor event; it is an occasion of universal rejoicing, resonating from the celestial realms down to the very fabric of creation. As Luke's Gospel recounts, upon Jesus' birth, "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests'" (Luke 2:13-14). This collective praise underscores that the world's joy is intrinsically linked to God's redemptive plan unfolding. The recurring theme of "the Savior reigns" further amplifies this message, shifting the focus from His birth to His ongoing, sovereign rule. This reign is characterized by "truth and grace," a divine duality beautifully expressed in John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, of the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." The song's powerful assertion that He "makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love" speaks to the transformative power of Christ's lordship, a power that is meant to influence all peoples and every aspect of life. This isn't just a song of celebration; it's an exultant declaration of the fulfillment of God's promises and the inauguration of a new era of divine dominion and unparalleled love for all humanity, from the smallest child to every soul across the globe.