Unspeakable Joy
There is an ice breaker called two truths and a lie that is commonly used to help people get to know each other. My go to “truth” that always draws some curiosity is, “I was a music major in college.” That is true, but the journey in the major lasted about three months and then I was removed from the program by the head of the music department. In spite of my lack of music theory expertise the head of the choral department, Dr. Luther, kept me in two primary music groups. This led to touring with the chorale and the chamber singers, and being involved in the Christmas Music Event and Spring Musicals. In the spring of my senior year Amy played my wife in The Music Man and we got married about a year and half later.
Dr. Luther was a mentor of mine and was always providing opportunities to appreciate great music. We had the privilege of singing pieces from some great composers, and traveled extensively singing in churches proclaiming the glory of God — always ending our concerts with the famous hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.
Johan Sebastian Bach famously wrote that the “aim of all music should be none other than the Glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music.” Bach provided the musical score for Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring written by Martin Janus sometime in the early part of the 18th century. The hymn will be sung in concert halls and churches all around the world this Christmas. Sadly, the depth of the message may not be recognized by those who are overwhelmed by the beauty of the music. Martin Janus’ writing is incredible and provides a joyful celebration of the arrival, the mission, and the message of Jesus.1
Martin Janus used the word “joy” in the final two stanzas of the hymn. In the third stanza he wrote:
“Where thy flock, in thee confiding. Drink of joy from Deathless Springs.”
In Hosea 13 the prophet reminded the people of Israel of God’s promise of restoration in spite of their disobedience and spiritual malaise.2
I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death.
O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? [Hosea 13:14 a-b]
The apostle Paul used Hosea’s reminder centuries later to demonstrate God’s victory over death and the law through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ:
“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality,
then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [I Corinthians 15:54-57]
Bach’s line, Drink of Joy from Deathless Springs, is a beautiful picture of the promise of eternal life found in Jesus. That why we as believers call funerals celebration services. We find joy in the “Deathless Springs” of God’s promises. The psalmist declares that in the Messianic kingdom the people of Israel will sing and dance proclaiming to the nation, “All my springs are in you.” [Psalm 87:7]. This verse gives us a picture of,“ the crowds in the earthly Jerusalem who are celebrating the glory of Jerusalem: the city is associated with “the fountain of life,” of “salvation” (Isa 12:3), and the “river whose streams make glad the city of God” (Ps 46:4).3
The second line I noticed declares that God leads His people into the “love of joys unknown.”
”Thine dost ever lead Thine own. In the love of Joys Unknown”
In 2009 Chris Tomlin released a recording of Joy to the Wold, and he added a bridge to his rendition:
Joy, unspeakable joy
An overflowing well
No tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy
Rises in my soul,
never let’s me go
I love what he did! The joy that we find in Christ is hard to describe as it overflows in our hearts and rises in our souls. It is a joy forged in God’s promise to never let us go.
In Luke 1:46-56, Mary’s Magnificat speaks to this joy inspired by her new mission as the mother of Jesus. When I was studying the Magnificat I was overwhelmed by the Spiritual maturity of this young lady. I guarantee you her work of Holy Spirit driven art will lead you to unspeakable joy!
Mary said,“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for He has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, 55 as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” [Luke 1:46-55]
And all God’s people said . . . Amen!
Pastor Chuck
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring was developed through quite a process: the original German title for this piece was “Walk mir das ice Jesus are” which means “It is good to tell you of Jesus.” The music for Jesu, Joy of Man’s desiring was not original to the piece, it was used in several of Bach’s cantatas as Jesu, meaner Seelen Wonnnee [Jesus the delight of my Soul.] ↩︎
- CSB Tony Evans Study Bible, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. ↩︎
- Expositor’s Bible Commentary [found at biblegateway.com – accessed December 11, 2024] ↩︎