Joy to the World
Psalm 98:1-4 NKJV - Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
OBSERVATION:
As we light the fourth candle, representing Jesus, the Light of the World, we are reminded to “Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done marvelous things.” As we read this Psalm, may our hearts join the chorus, “The Lord has made known His salvation.” Thus, we should “Shout joyfully to the Lord, break forth in song, rejoice and sing praises.”
OBSERVATION:
As we light the fourth candle, representing Jesus, the Light of the World, we are reminded to “Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done marvelous things.” As we read this Psalm, may our hearts join the chorus, “The Lord has made known His salvation.” Thus, we should “Shout joyfully to the Lord, break forth in song, rejoice and sing praises.”
Psalm 98 is the last of the four "Royal Songs" (or "Coronation Hymn"): Psalms 95-98 are believed to have been written by David to proclaim the KING of Kings' coming, His work of redemption, and the eventual establishment of His kingdom.
"Joy to the World," written in 1719, is Isaac Watts' interpretation of Psalm 98:4. As he read the psalm, he pondered the true reason for joyfully shouting to the Lord. His answer: the Messiah has come to redeem us. The result is a timeless carol that has brightened Christmases for nearly 300 years.
Psalm 98:1-3 is similar to the Song of Mary in Luke 1:26-38. Also known as the “Magnificat,” it is a hymn of praise from Mary, in which she magnifies God for His goodness and mercy, and proclaims the blessing that has come to the lowly and humble.
"Joy to the World," written in 1719, is Isaac Watts' interpretation of Psalm 98:4. As he read the psalm, he pondered the true reason for joyfully shouting to the Lord. His answer: the Messiah has come to redeem us. The result is a timeless carol that has brightened Christmases for nearly 300 years.
Psalm 98:1-3 is similar to the Song of Mary in Luke 1:26-38. Also known as the “Magnificat,” it is a hymn of praise from Mary, in which she magnifies God for His goodness and mercy, and proclaims the blessing that has come to the lowly and humble.
“There are striking parallels between the first part of Psalm 98 and Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55),
which may mean that the mother of Jesus had the psalm in mind as she composed her hymn and that she rightly saw that
the promises of the psalm were to be fulfilled in the spiritual victories to be achieved by Jesus Christ.” – James Mongomery Boice
which may mean that the mother of Jesus had the psalm in mind as she composed her hymn and that she rightly saw that
the promises of the psalm were to be fulfilled in the spiritual victories to be achieved by Jesus Christ.” – James Mongomery Boice
The Song of Mary is not only similar to Psalm 98 but also to the Song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. This song contains at least 12 allusions to the Old Testament. We learn from this that Mary was a lover of God’s Word from a young age and was reminded of the Prophetic words of God through the Prophets regarding the Messiah. Her song will be sung for generations to come.
The Song of Mary
As the Latin title “Magnificat” points to the first line of Mary's song, we are encouraged and reminded to magnify God during the Christmas season. We often find ourselves exhausted and grumpy rather than joyful and rejoicing as we navigate Christmas parties, programs, preparations, presents, and people. We forget to magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior. Let Mary’s song be an example of praise as we celebrate Jesus' birth.
APPLICATON:
If you are struggling to find the “Joy” of the season, let Mary’s song help you. We have both a pattern and a practice of praise in Psalm 98 and in Mary’s song.
“Shout joyfully to the Lord…, break forth in song, rejoice and sing praises.” (Psalm 98:4)
Shout Joyfully, Break Forth in Song – Mary “Magnified the Lord”. In Hebrew, magnify means to extol, exalt, and show great. How great is our God? Mary tells us in verses 49-50.
Luke 1:49-50 NKJV - For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
All-Mighty God has broken the chains of sin through Jesus Christ our Savior! If we have nothing else to praise, magnify, extol, and shout joyfully about this season, we have this: “Rejoice in God my Savior!”
Rejoice and Sing Praises – Throughout the Bible, those who struggled, felt downcast, or even became depressed (Yes, even David experienced it) found that praise has always been used to change our outlook, our mindset, and to calm a troubled soul. Why? It gets our eyes off our circumstances and onto “God our Savior”.
The word rejoice is an active verb meaning “to give joy” or “to take delight.” We may need to reignite our joy by taking delight in the fact that our sins have been forgiven. The Savior of the World has come, and will come again. Rejoice as Mary did, for God “has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy.”
The Song of Mary in verse 47, “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Salvation,” is connected to the prophet Habakkuk’s words, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, even when things may seem difficult.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NKJV - Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
If you are struggling to find the “Joy” of the season, let Mary’s song help you. We have both a pattern and a practice of praise in Psalm 98 and in Mary’s song.
“Shout joyfully to the Lord…, break forth in song, rejoice and sing praises.” (Psalm 98:4)
Shout Joyfully, Break Forth in Song – Mary “Magnified the Lord”. In Hebrew, magnify means to extol, exalt, and show great. How great is our God? Mary tells us in verses 49-50.
Luke 1:49-50 NKJV - For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
All-Mighty God has broken the chains of sin through Jesus Christ our Savior! If we have nothing else to praise, magnify, extol, and shout joyfully about this season, we have this: “Rejoice in God my Savior!”
Rejoice and Sing Praises – Throughout the Bible, those who struggled, felt downcast, or even became depressed (Yes, even David experienced it) found that praise has always been used to change our outlook, our mindset, and to calm a troubled soul. Why? It gets our eyes off our circumstances and onto “God our Savior”.
The word rejoice is an active verb meaning “to give joy” or “to take delight.” We may need to reignite our joy by taking delight in the fact that our sins have been forgiven. The Savior of the World has come, and will come again. Rejoice as Mary did, for God “has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy.”
The Song of Mary in verse 47, “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Salvation,” is connected to the prophet Habakkuk’s words, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, even when things may seem difficult.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NKJV - Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
PRAYER:
Jesus, be magnified in my heart this Christmas season. May I rejoice in God my Savior, as I reflect on and remember all that you have done. When the feelings of exhaustion and grumpiness come, may I find joy in my salvation and rejoice in my Savior – Jesus Christ
Jesus, be magnified in my heart this Christmas season. May I rejoice in God my Savior, as I reflect on and remember all that you have done. When the feelings of exhaustion and grumpiness come, may I find joy in my salvation and rejoice in my Savior – Jesus Christ
Shout joyfully to the Lord, break forth in song, rejoice and sing praises.