“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance” (Psalm 89:15).
TEXT — Psalm 89:15-18
Message
James Watson, an American scientist, and his English scientist associate, Francis Crick, first worked out the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953. They knew at once that they had uncovered the blueprint of life itself. Watson was said to have run into a pub, announcing, “We have discovered the secret of life!” You can imagine the joy of being the first to possess such world-changing knowledge.
There is a joy that somewhat surpasses Watson’s for his scientific discovery. It is summarised intoday’s Bible text as “the joyful sound,” and blessed are they who know that sound. Some believe this psalm was written when the Israelites were in captivity in Babylon. When the psalmist, therefore, talks about the joyful sound, with nostalgic reflection, he alludes to the unspeakably joyful worship of God. Such occasions were marked by the fragrance of God’s presence and sacred ordinances, including the sounding of summoning trumpets and other melodies that attended the worship of God. Those who know (not just hear) this joyful sound are privileged to also walk in the Lord’s favour.
That the Almighty God is favourable to us is enough joy. If we have entered into a redemptive covenant with God, we tap into this enduring joy that, unlike mere happiness that depends on circumstances, uplifts our hearts even in crises. We also bask in God’s righteousness, not in our own righteousness, which is like filthy rags before Him. God is the source of our strength, courage and confidence. He is our defence and King. To Him, we ascribe all the glory.
Many today are accustomed to the carnally entertaining religious sounds. Some others are filled with the sound of materialism. But it is the highest privilege to know the joyful sound of pure worship of the Almighty. Those who have not repented and placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour know nothing of this experience. What is more desirable than to dwell “in the secret place of the Most High” and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty”? This is the lot of those who know the joyful sound.
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Thought for the day
God inhabits the praises and true worship of saints
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
