Musically, the first four notes of "Joy to the World" are the same as the first four in the chorus "Lift up your heads" from Handel's "Messiah" (premiered 1742), and, in the third line, the same as found in another "Messiah" piece: the arioso, "Comfort ye". Consequently, and with Mason's attribution to Handel, there has long been speculation over how much a part Handel's "Messiah" had in "Joy to the World". It is known Mason was a great admirer and scholar of Handel's music, and had in fact became president of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society in 1827 and was also an editor for them. However, resemblances between "Messiah" and "Joy to the World", have been dismissed as 'chance resemblance' by Handel scholars today.