Description
Listen to the beginner piano arrangement of Joy to the World.
“Joy to the World” is a popular Christmas carol written by Isaac Watts and based on Psalm 98. The song was first published in 1719 in Watts’ collection, The Psalms of David. Watts wrote the words of “Joy to the World” as a hymn glorifying Christ’s triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than a song celebrating His first coming. Only the second half of Watts’ lyrics are still used today.
The music was adapted and arranged to Watts’ lyrics by Lowell Mason in 1839 from an older melody which is believed to have originated from Handel. The name “Antioch” is generally used for the tune. As of the late 20th century, “Joy to the World” was the most-published Christmas hymn in North America.
* This hymn arrangement is also available in our books:
