Joy to the World-Psalm 98

Описание: Isaac Watts was born in 1674, the son of a schoolmaster who was imprisoned for his faith. During this time, the Psalms, which were the only songs used in his church, were poorly paraphrased for singing. Typical of the crude lyrics is this: "Ye monsters of the bubbling deep, your Maker's praises spout; up from the sands, ye codlings, peep, and wag your tails about." And in addition to poor lyrics, Watts found the singing monotonous; to him, there was a lack of joy and emotion among the congregants as they sung. So it wasn't merely the subject matter, but the practice of the people.
He once famously said, "To see the dull indifference, the negligent and thoughtless air that sits upon the faces of the whole assembly, while the psalm is upon their lips, might even tempt a charitable observer to suspect the fervency of their inward religion." At another time he wrote, "While we sing the praises of our God in His church, we are employed in that part of worship which of all others is nearest a-kin to heaven; and it is pity that this, of all others, should be performed the worst upon earth."
While walking home from worship service in Southampton, England, this 18-20-year old told his father that the metrical psalms sung at their service lacked the dignity and beauty that should characterize hymns used in worship, so his dad challenged him to do something about it. When his dad said, "Give us something better, young man" he accepted the challenge, and that evening the church was invited to close its evening service with his first hymn, which was received enthusiastically by his church.
He began writing hymns in 1694, putting Psalms into rhyming meter for worship that would also express NT fulfillment. The passion of Isaac Watts for worshipping Christ with excellence resulted in hymns which are still sung and loved to this day, including "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "Jesus Shall Reign," "O God Our Help in Ages Past," and "Joy to the World."
He was put on a lifelong pursuit to write lyrics that exalted Christ and reminded Christians of their hope in His saving work, even focus on Christ's second coming.
Join us this coming Lord's day as we exalt the Lord in song and Scripture! Our exposition from Scripture with be Psalm 98, from which Watts derived our cherished Christmas hymn, "Joy to the World."