The Joyful Sound

By Jack Davis

“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.”
Ps. 89:15-16

The Joyful Sound has been sent to bless mankind. God says we are blessed in knowing. He speaks of that which is realized in the heart. It is sad to say that not all who have opportunity to hear ever come to receive, respond to, and even fewer resound the joyful sound. Most never come to grasp the meaning, nor enjoy the benefits. Let us notice here some aspects of knowing. And some elements of the blessing. May the Holy Spirit make us realize in experience that we indeed have something going for us.

They shall WALK in the light of His countenance, the realm of joyful conduct, far exceeds staggering around in the dark, lost. Thank God, we can know where we are going. In the light of His countenance we enjoy the blessed favor of His presence, when we are aware that He is looking upon us with grace. It is indeed a joy to our Father to watch us progress and grow. This phrase could be translated, “proceeding under your smile,” or “marching firmly along in the radiance of your presence.”

In His name shall they REJOICE. As we walk in His light, it’s in His name that we delight, take pride in, make our boast. His name is our basis for a continual boasting. God’s name is a part of the way He has chosen to reveal His characteristics unto His people. It’s a joy to be called children, saints, sons “of the living God.” We read in Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them: and the word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, “O Lord God of hosts.”

In thy RIGHTEOUSNESS they shall be exalted. It is only in His righteousness that mankind may come to the celestial heights of eternal glory. Thank God for clothing us in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We are made the righteousness of God in Him. In Him we are made fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. We who have borne the image of the earthly, shall also bear the image of the heavenly. The exalted place the saints of the most high God will enjoy eternally will always be in His righteousness.

Rev. 19:6-8, “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters and…mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” The announcement of the granting of BRIDAL ADORNMENT will be to her a “Joyful Sound,” for she will have been exalted in His Righteousness.

In the New Testament is heard the echo, and re-echoing of the Joyful Sound of the Gospel of our salvation. The message sent down from the throne of God, and the heart of God to save unto the uttermost. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they  have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world” – Rom. 10:13-18. So there is to be a resounding, passing it on.

God spake in time past unto the Fathers by the prophets, But “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son…Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?” –  Heb. 1:1-2 & 2:1-4.

The Joyful Sound began to be spoken by the Lord. Jesus expressed it and sounded it out in word and deed. He said: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” – Jn. 15:11. In John 16:13-22, he was promising the advent of the Holy Spirit, which came with the sound of a rushing, mighty wind. He was also promising Resurrection, which someone has called good news from the grave yard. The announcement of Jesus birth came as “good tidings of great joy.” On the day that is called Palm Sunday, Jesus came into Jerusalem with shouts of hosannas ringing. The city was moved, the children, disciples, the multitude making a joyful sound. The religious leaders were displeased, and urged Jesus to quiet down. Jesus told them, that the stones would cry out if these all would remain still. Many heard these sounds but they didn’t all appreciate, or enjoy them. They didn’t know or understand their meaning. They weren’t tuned in.

Feastal Call: The amplified Bible translates our text thus; “happy, fortunate, to be envied are they who appreciate, and understand the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feast.” Do you know the feastal call? Note how some are knowing and making Joyful Sounds. Paul gave thanks for the Colossians after hearing of their faith, love, and hope laid up for them in Heaven, “whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,” which he said brought forth fruit in them since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.”

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” – Col. 3:16.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (drinking of the new wine) speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” – Eph. 5:18-19.

In our text, it says, “they shall rejoice all the day.” The joyful sound can be a daily thing as the result of staying current with the Word, and responsive to the Holy Spirit. Oh, how blessed we are to be guided by the Holy Spirit, for He uses the Word to talk to us, and cheer our hearts. When I get grouchy or grumpy, I know that I am not listening to the Spirit through the Word.
J. D.