Matt Redman - Hearts Waiting (Joy to the World) Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
Hearts waiting
Waiting on a Savior
Come o come Emmanuel
Hear the prophets
Speaking of the promise
Come o come Emmanuel
A light of glory filled the sky
And we heard the angel choir
Chorus
Joy to the world! Joy to the world!
The Lord has come
The Lord has come to us!
Joy to the world
A Savior for all!
The Lord has come
The Lord has come to us!
Interlude
Verse 2
Messiah
Ruler of the nations
Come o come Emmanuel
Our redeemer
God is with us
God is for us, come o come Emmanuel
The doors of heaven open wide
Can you hear the song inside?
Chorus 2
Joy to the world, Joy to the world
The Lord has come
The Lord has come to us
Joy to the world
A Savior for all
The Lord has come
The Lord has come to us
Bridge
And He shall reign forever and ever
He shall reign fore-ver
And he shall reign forever and ever
He shall reign forevermore
REPEAT CHORUS
Bridge 2
And He shall reign forever and ever
He shall reign fore-ver
And he shall reign forever and ever
He shall reign forevermore
Outro
Come o come
Emmanuel
Video
Matt Redman - Hearts Waiting (Joy To The World) (Lyrics And Chords)
Meaning & Inspiration
Featured on his 2016 album, *These Christmas Lights*, released on October 21st, Matt Redman's "Hearts Waiting (Joy to the World)" offers a profound and timely reflection on the Advent season, seamlessly blending ancient longing with a celebration of Christ’s arrival. This song transcends a simple Christmas carol; it is a theological narrative set to music, skillfully weaving the yearning for a Savior with the triumphant declaration of His presence. It reimagines the familiar "Joy to the World" by adding layers of scriptural depth, guiding us through the centuries of expectation that preceded the incarnation, and extending our gaze to the eternal reign of Jesus.
The song’s core message begins with an exploration of anticipation, capturing the historical and spiritual posture of a world "waiting on a Savior." The repeated plea, "Come o come Emmanuel," is not merely a lyrical device but a direct echo of Israel’s centuries-long hope for the Messiah, a longing deeply embedded in prophetic texts like Isaiah 7:14, which promised a child named Immanuel, meaning "God with us." The verses powerfully evoke this era of expectation, calling to mind the prophets "speaking of the promise" – a divine covenant stretching back to Genesis 3:15 and culminating in the glorious announcement of Christ’s birth. The line, "A light of glory filled the sky, And we heard the angel choir," vividly transports us to that pivotal night, reminiscent of the shepherds’ experience in Luke 2:9-14, where the angelic host proclaimed good news of great joy.
This deep sense of longing then culminates in the exultant chorus: "Joy to the world! The Lord has come! A Savior for all!" This declaration shifts the atmosphere from patient waiting to joyful fulfillment. It is a resounding affirmation of God’s faithfulness, marking the moment when the promised Messiah, foretold in Isaiah 9:6 as a "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace," finally arrived. The universal scope of salvation, "A Savior for all," underscores the inclusive nature of Christ's redeeming work, echoing the angel’s proclamation in Luke 2:10 that the good news is "for all the people." This joy is not fleeting but rooted in the unwavering truth that "The Lord has come to us!"
The second verse further unpacks the identity and mission of this long-awaited figure, addressing Him as "Messiah, Ruler of the nations." This acknowledges His divine authority and sovereign control, a truth affirmed in passages like Psalm 2:8 and Revelation 19:16, which speak of His ultimate dominion. The reaffirmation, "Our redeemer, God is with us, God is for us," is a powerful theological statement. "God is with us" directly translates to Emmanuel, the very name invoked in the opening verse, signifying God’s tangible presence among humanity through Christ. The addition of "God is for us" beautifully mirrors the triumphant assurance found in Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" This underscores the benevolent, supportive nature of God’s relationship with His people through His Son. The imagery of "The doors of heaven open wide" speaks to the new access believers have to God through Jesus, who declared Himself the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and through whom we can "approach God’s throne of grace with confidence" (Hebrews 4:16).
The bridge expands the song's scope beyond the manger and into eternity, proclaiming, "And He shall reign forever and ever, He shall reign forevermore." This is a crucial theological anchor, reminding us that Christ’s significance is not confined to a historical event but extends to His ongoing, eternal sovereignty. This truth resonates with prophecies in Daniel 7:14, which states His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and with the heavenly declarations in Revelation 11:15, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever." This refrain transforms the Christmas celebration into an enduring act of worship, acknowledging Christ as not just a baby in a manger, but the eternal King whose reign knows no end, a truth also affirmed in Luke 1:33. The song concludes with the humble yet powerful "Come o come Emmanuel," circling back to the initial cry, but now with the assurance that He has come, He is here, and He will reign eternally, leaving the listener with a sense of peace and inspired anticipation for His ultimate return.