“Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. 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. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.” (Psalm 89:14-18 KJV)
When we were kids, the sound of dad’s footsteps coming home from work brought joy to our ears and we gleefully ran into his open arms. The sound of the ice cream truck’s bell made us smile and we ran to buy a popsickle. The sound of the mailbox “door” clicking shut after the postman left mail made us smile and run to the box because we had mail.
In the movie You’ve Got Mail, actors Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan portray characters who communicate by email. They excitedly anticipated getting email from one another, even though Ryan’s character didn’t know Hank’s character. “You’ve got mail” . . . simple words but so full of life and joy.
According to the context of today’s passage, the sound that brings joy is God’s mercy instead of God’s judgment. Note the praise for divine mercy (Psalm 89:1-4); the knowledge of divine power (5-13); and the declaration of the joyful sound (14-18). “You’ve got mercy” . . . powerful words . . . life-giving words . . . a joyful sound.
Read this passage carefully and note the specified blessings of God’s mercy. Walking in his smile; rejoicing in his name; exalted in his righteousness; strengthened by his glory; exalted in his favor; He is our defense, our holiness, and our King. Think about it! We’ve got mercy!!! “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever” (v. 1).
Dear Father, thank you for your mercy and grace. Empower us to boldly rejoice in your mercies always and unashamedly. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today by the sound of joy,