About Joy of The Lord is My Strength Song
“Joy of the Lord” is a worship anthem by Maverick City Music, featuring the Maverick City Gospel Choir and Katie Torwalt.
The song appears as Track 9 on the album Jubilee: The Juneteenth Edition, released on June 18, 2021.
Genre-wise, it sits firmly in contemporary worship / gospel, blending modern worship textures with rich choir-driven praise.
Lyrics
Joy of the Lord Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I’m pulling on joy from Heaven’s reserve
He’s stored up enough, for every winter I’m served
I’m seeing beyond my circumstance
This joy that I have is my Inheritance
Joy, this is the joy of the Lord
[Chorus]
The chorus says, the joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy, oh, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
Oh-oh-oh, He is my hope (Yes, He is)
The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
[Verse 2]
There is a Savior in thе valley place
He’s walking bеside me and He knows my pain (Yeah)
God, the beginning and the end
God, right there in the midst of it
Joy, this is the Joy of the Lord (Sing it again, joy)
Oh, joy, this is the joy of the Lord
[Chorus]
The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength (Yes, it is)
The joy, oh, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
Oh-oh-oh, He is my hope
The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength (Oh)
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[Bridge 1]
Mm, there’s gonna be glory
There’s gonna be glory
There will be glory after this
No need to worry
In this present suffering
There will be glory after this (Sing it out)
There’s gonna be glory
There’s gonna be glory
There will be glory after this (There will be glory after this)
No need to worry
In this present suffering
There will be glory after this (Sing it again, there will be glory)
There’s gonna be glory (There’s gonna be glory)
There’s gonna be glory (Ooh, ooh)
There will be glory after this
(Oh, no need to worry) No need to worry
In this present suffering
There will be glory after this (Sing, “The joy”)
[Chorus]
Oh, the joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
Oh-oh-oh, He is my hope
The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
[Verse 3]
There is a King seated on His throne
Prepared a place that I’ll call my home
And there I will see Him face to face
He’ll wipe every tear from my face
Joy, this is the Joy of the Lord
Oh, I’m talking about joy
This is the joy of the Lord
Oh, I’m talking about joy
This is the joy of the Lord
Oh, sing it from the hilltop
Joy (Oh joy), this is the joy of the Lord
[Chorus]
(Oh, the joy) The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
Oh-oh-oh, He is my hope
The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
Oh, the joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy (Joy), the joy (Joy)
The joy of the Lord is my strength
Oh-oh-oh, He is my hope
(Oh-oh-oh) Oh-oh-oh, He is my hope
(Oh) Oh-oh-oh, (He is) He is my hope
(The joy) The joy, the joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength
[Bridge 2]
Put on strength (Thank You, Jesus)
Put on strength
Put on joy
Put on love
And don’t take it off
Put on strength
Put on joy
Put on love
And don’t take it off
The only way the world will change is if we
Put on strength
Put on joy
(Put on love) Put on love
And don’t take it off
The only way things happen is if we put on strength (Put on strength)
Put on joy (We put on joy)
Put on love (We put on love)
And don’t take it off, don’t take it off
Don’t take it off (Don’t take it off)
We won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
We come in today (We won’t take it off)
We won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
We won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
We won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
We come in today, we won’t take it (We won’t take it off)
I’ve decided (We won’t take it off), I won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
We won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
There’s a dying world (We won’t take it off)
Who is looking for hope (We won’t take it off)
We won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
Oh, the joy of the Lord (We won’t take it off)
We won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
We won’t take it off (We won’t take it off)
We’ve decided, we won’t take it off
[Spontaneous]
Won’t take it off
Mm, won’t take it off
The joy of the Lord, we won’t take it off
Peace of the Lord, we won’t take it off (Won’t take it off)
Power of the Lord, we won’t take it off (Won’t take it off)
Yeah, strength of the Lord, we won’t take it off (Won’t take it off)
Spirit of the Lord, we won’t take it off (Won’t take it off)
Yeah
I will hold You forever, Lord, close to me
And I won’t let go
I will hold You forever, God, and I won’t let go
Won’t let go of Your hand
Won’t let go of Your hand
I’ll never let go of Your hand
Never let go of Your hand
Never let go of Your hand, oh, no, no
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
Yeah, I’ll never let go of Your hand
Yeah, I’ll never let go of Your hand
Yeah, I’ll never let go of Your hand
Yeah, I’ll never let go of Your hand
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
I am safe there
And secure there
Not fighting for attention, fighting for affection
I belong there (I belong there)
You said I belong there (I belong there)
Yeah
Said I’ll never, I’ll never let go of Your hand, no
Never let go of Your hand, Lord (I’m safe there)
Never let go of Your hand (I’m safe there)
Oh, I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand (Safe and secure)
I’ll never let go of Your hand, no (Safe and secure)
I’ll never let go of Your hand (I’ll never)
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand (I know where I belong)
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord (I know where I belong)
I’ll never let go of Your hand (In the safety of Your presence)
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord (Never)
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord (Never)
I’ll never let go of Your hand (Never let go)
I’ll never let go of Your hand
[Outro]
You’ve been holding me for a long time
You have my commitment (Oh, Lord, I’ll never let go of Your hand)
You have my commitment
This is a vow made to You, daddy (Yes, I’ll never let go of Your hand)
This is a promise I make to You, daddy (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
Holding Your hand that has kept me (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
Holding Your hand has sustained me (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
Holding Your hand (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
I won’t let it go (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
I won’t let it go, I’ll hold on (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
[?], I hold on (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
You’re a real, good friend
I’ll never let go of Your hand
I’ll never let go of Your hand
‘Cause I know where my peace is (I’ll never let go of Your hand)
‘Cause I know where my restoration is
Oh, the hand of Jesus carries value
The hand of Jesus carries weight
Oh, and Father I hold onto the weight today
I hold onto the value today
I connect to the hand that has carried me through
I connect to the hand that has walked me through
Lord, You have promise today
I won’t let go, I won’t let go
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand, Lord
I’ll never let go of Your hand
I’ll never let go of Your hand
I’ll never let go of Your hand
I’ll never let go of Your hand (Do You hear us tonight?)
I’ll never let go of Your hand (We really mean it, God)
I’ll never let go of Your hand (Can You hear us tonight?)
I’ll never let go of Your hand (Ayy, we really mean it right now)
I’ll never let go of Your hand (Never)
I’ll never let go of Your hand
NOTE: Lyrics are the property of their respective owners and are shared here for educational, commentary, and review purposes.
Song Overview & Analysis
Mood & Atmosphere
“Joy of the Lord” carries a resilient, hope-filled atmosphere. Rather than shallow happiness, the song emphasizes a joy that persists through hardship. The emotional arc moves from grounded reassurance to full, celebratory worship—mirroring the journey from endurance to victory.
Musical Style & Delivery
Musically, the track leans into Maverick City Music’s signature style:
- Slow-building worship that gradually expands
- Call-and-response moments driven by choir dynamics
- Extended spontaneous sections, creating space for reflection and communal expression
The gospel choir adds depth and authority, while the lead vocals keep the message personal and intimate. The repetition isn’t filler—it’s intentional, designed to let the truth sink in and be declared with conviction.
Themes & Meaning
At its core, the song centers on a biblical idea: joy as strength, not as a reaction to circumstances but as a spiritual inheritance. The lyrics suggest that joy is something stored, available, and wearable—something believers can “put on” daily.
Several layers stand out:
- Joy beyond circumstances – acknowledging pain without being defined by it
- God’s presence in suffering – emphasizing companionship in the valley, not just rescue from it
- Future hope – pointing toward restoration, glory, and ultimate healing
- Commitment language – especially in the latter sections, where holding on symbolizes trust, surrender, and belonging
The extended outro and spontaneous worship moments feel almost like a live altar call—less about performance and more about corporate declaration. It’s worship meant to be lived, not just listened to.
Why the Song Resonates
“Joy of the Lord” resonates because it doesn’t deny struggle. Instead, it reframes it. The song gives listeners language for perseverance, reminding them that joy isn’t fragile—it’s sustaining. That makes the track especially powerful in seasons of uncertainty, grief, or waiting.
