Written by Isaac Watts as a celebration of the return of Christ, not the birth of Christ.

It was written in response to the 98 Psalm

Look at some of the lines of the hymn

A. Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her king

Psalm 98: 1, 2 Victory and righteousness in every nation.

B. While fields and floods rocks hill and plains repeat the sounding joy

Psalm 98: 7, 8 Let the sea roar , and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

  1. No more let sin and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground

Psalm 98: 4 – 6, 9

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise , and rejoice , and sing praise. 5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King 9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity

  1. First Advent Jesus came quietly

  2. Second Advent He is coming in power and glory

Jesus is coming as a warrior to destroy sin (Psalm 98: 9)

  • Psalm 68: 2 Wicked shall perish before the presence oft he Lord
  • Revelation 1: 16 Sword out of His mouth
  • Revelation 14: 19, 20 Nations tramples and blood flowing

Colossians 3: 4 When Christ who is our life shall appear, we shall appear with Him in glory.

2 Corinthians 4: 17, 18 fix our gaze on Jesus

  • observe or contemplate
  • pay attention
  • take heed

Key Point:

  1. Fix life on things that are going to perish

  2. Fix life on Eternity