Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4970
Exceeding: very much, greatly, go all-out, extreme, deeply
From the Greek word 'sphrodra' (pronounced sfod'-rah).
Also used to describe great fear, as in Matthew 17:6.
Used to describe a level of emotion being felt or the quantity of wealth or lack thereof.
(cf) Matthew 26:22; Matthew 27:54; Luke 18:23; Acts 6:7; Revelation 16:21.
Upon seeing the star the wise men 'rejoiced' with 'exceeding great joy'. Not a calm delight, nor mere inner peace, but over-the-top joy. Pure joy because they knew they were getting close to where the new King was. Pure joy for they knew they would soon and very soon see His face.
Pure joy because they could not contain such ecstatic joy within themselves.
I don't know about you but when I experience uncontainable joy, I sing. Can you imagine the ruckus they made after leaving Jerusalem to travel northwards to Bethlehem? Three grown men, traveling on desert animals themselves and with pack animals loaded with their gear: clothes, bedding, foods, shelter. Having traveled from the land east of Jerusalem for two years they would have needed a goodly supply to get them through. Even if they stayed at the local inns occasionally.
Now picture all of that and them singing, too. Rejoicing with exceeding great joy. Being wise men, they were learned men. They knew the arts, including music. Songs of praise never sung before would have welled up within their hearts and poured out from them. One could imagine a bass, a baritone and a tenor; at least I can.
Having pored over the prophecies and written books of what we call the Old Testament, the Word being in them to lead them and guide them through said prophecies may have put the words of great joy into their mouths, as well. Do you not know that when we who write songs under the guidance of the Holy Spirit have already dug deep into the Scriptures, too? (And I'm still digging).
David knew such joy. He wrote hundreds of songs about God in The Book of Psalms. Such as Psalms 148:1 "Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places." Isaiah wrote, "Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel."
Zephaniah 3:17 even tells us that God will sing over His people with joy, when He restores them, "The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”
How can we not shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph, as in Psalm 98:4, "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise." A joyful Noise, a Loud noise: shouting high praise to God. As the angels sang to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
JOY TO THE WORLD by Chris Tomlin
THERE IS A KING MEDLEY by Elevation Church
