Joy To The World
Harry Belafonte Lyrics

In these lyrics, Harry Belafonte beautifully expresses the universal joy experienced by believers during the advent of the Lord. The opening line, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!" exults in the arrival of the Lord, signaling a time of great celebration. Earth is urged to receive its King, illustrating the anticipation and readiness to welcome Him.

The next line, "Let every heart prepare Him room," encapsulates the need for introspection and spiritual awakening. It reminds us that we must make space in our hearts for the Lord's presence and surrender ourselves to His divine will. The following line, "And heaven and nature sing," emphasizes the magnitude of this occasion. It asserts that not only human beings but the very fabric of creation itself joins in joyful and collective praise.

As the song progresses, Belafonte declares, "Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!" This line shifts the focus to the Savior's sovereignty and authority. It suggests that with His arrival, believers are free to express their worship, as they find solace and purpose in His reign. The subsequent line, "While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, repeat the sounding joy," highlights the all-encompassing nature of this joy. It implies that the very elements of nature resonate with the joyous announcement, signaling a harmonious convergence between humanity and the natural world.

The lyrics then take a more profound turn, addressing the transformative power of the Lord's arrival: "No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground." This line conveys the hope that with the Savior's presence, sin and suffering will no longer prevail. It speaks to the redemption and restoration of a fallen world. The subsequent line, "He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found," illustrates the extent of the Lord's benevolence. It suggests that His blessings reach far and wide, conquering the curse of sin wherever it is found.

The final section of the song declares the Lord's rule over the world, characterized by truth, grace, and righteousness. Belafonte sings, "He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness." This line encapsulates the transformative impact of the Lord's presence on the nations of the world. It suggests that His rule brings forth righteousness, justice, and a revelation of His glory. The closing line, "And wonders, wonders, of His love," affirms and echoes the profound, unfathomable love that the Lord bestows upon His creation.

In summary, these lyrics convey a message of joy, anticipation, and the transformative power of the Lord's arrival. They remind us that His sovereignty extends to the realms of both humanity and nature. The lyrics also emphasize the redemption and restoration brought forth by the Savior, and the abounding love that characterizes His rule over the world.