Joy To The World

Joy to the World

Psalm 98

Good Morning

In 1719, English minister and hymnist Isaac Watts published his work titled, Psalms of David, along with the song he wrote titled, Joy to the World, which was a direct result of Psalm 98.

The song “Joy to the World” is a deliberate Christological interpretation of Psalm 98 because it is a Messianic Psalm.

Of course, most of us know some of the lyrics that say, “Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing.”

Please open your Bibles to Psalm 98 as we continue in our survey of the Book of Psalms.

Psalm 98 celebrates the LORD’s rule over the world and His offer of redemption through the LORD, our King.

Psalm 98 praises the LORD as the sovereign ruler of the world and invites creation to celebrate with song and instruments.

Psalm 98 calls for the world to worship the LORD with a "joyful noise" in response to all He has done.

This Psalm is also known because Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus sang part of it during her praise song to the LORD and the song Joy to the World was made from Psalm 98 as well.

I. A new song.

Read Psalm 98:1a

In 1975 B. J. Thomas wrote a song titled, “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song”,

Some of the lyrics say, “So please play for me a sad melody so sad that it makes everybody cry. A real hurtin' song about a love that's gone wrong, 'cause I don't want to cry all alone.”

No matter what old country song your life used to resemble, Jesus wants to make you a brand-new creation and give you a new song.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV

There are many references in the Bible telling us to sing a new song to The Lord. In Christ, we have a reason to sing, rejoice, and celebrate because He makes all things new.

The idea of a new song says there is something fresh and dynamic about the worship we offer the LORD because He has done a new thing in our lives.

F. B. Meyer said, “The song of redeeming grace can never grow old, even though the same words recur.... Are not His mercies new every morning, and His faithfulness every night?” (Meyer)

We must learn to sing a new song in every situation because we have a new song in Jesus who has come, seen, and conquered.

C. H. Spurgeon said, “Jesus, our King, has lived a marvelous life, died a marvelous death, risen by a marvelous resurrection, and ascended marvelously into heaven.”

“For all this, He deserves the highest praise. His acts have proved His Deity, Jesus is Jehovah, and therefore we sing unto Him as the LORD.” (C. H. Spurgeon)

After Mary was told the news by Gabriel, that she would give birth to the Messiah even though she was a virgin, she sang a song of praise to the LORD.

Most of the lyrics of Mary’s praise song to the LORD, in Luke 1, were taken from Psalm 98.

The psalmist said, “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!”

The portion of Mary’s song that goes along with this is…Luke 1:46 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord.

The psalmist said, “For He has done marvelous things”

Mary said in Luke 1:49, For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. NKJV

done marvelous things literally means He has worked miracles.

Adam Clarke said, “What marvels has Christ done? He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Born of a virgin. Healed all manners of diseases.

He fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes, raised the dead, and what was more marvelous is that He died Himself.”

“He rose again by His own power, ascended back to heaven, and sent forth the Holy Spirit.” …and so much more. (Clarke)

II. The whole Earth has seen His Salvation.

Read Psalm 98:1b-3

Isaiah 52:10 The LORD has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. NKJV

David Guzik said, “The idea of His holy arm is that God has rolled up His sleeve to do His mighty work. Together, His hand and arm have gained Him the victory.”

Rich Mullens wrote the song, “Our God is an awesome God”, the lyrics say… “When He rolls up His sleeves He ain't just putting on the ritz (Our God is an awesome God)

There's thunder in His footsteps and lightning in His fists (Our God is an awesome God).”