Psalm 89:15-18 "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. (16) In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. (17) For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. (18) For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king."
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound." I'm certain that
with just those words, you are thinking of "the joyful sound."
It depends on our mindset as to what that joyful sound would be. In the
natural realm, I'm thinking of the baby's first cry, the sound of rain on the
dry earth, the cheer of victory in a ballgame. As I'm typing, I hear the sound
of pans being brought out for the preparation of breakfast. That's a joyful
sound to a hungry stomach. As I said, it depends on our mindset as to what we
think the joyful sound might be. But the greatest sound of joy is that of the
glorious Gospel being proclaimed. For one who is bearing the burden of the
conviction of sins, Paul wrote, "I declare unto you the gospel... Christ
died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and
that he rose again the third day." Praise God! That is the Gospel. That is
the good news! "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day ... Neither is
there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved ... in thy righteousness shall they
be exalted ... we (have been) made the righteousness of God in him." The
"joyful sound" is not brought by the words I may write; rather, that
sound comes from the very Word of God. "Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly
through Jesus Christ our Saviour." (Titus 3:5-6) Do you hear that joyful
sound this morning?
We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward!—’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing above the battle’s strife, Jesus saves, Jesus save
By His death and endless life, Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing it softly thru the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves,
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.