The Joyful Sound

"How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, 
they walk in the light of Your countenance."
Psalm 89:15

The Hebrew word rendered ‘joyful sound’ is a technical word for the trumpet blast at Jewish feasts. This blast proclaimed God's presence in the festival and expressed the gladness of the worshippers. For those who know God -- who walk in His presence -- the knowledge that He is with them brings light into the darkest day. They are familiar with the "joyful sound" proclaiming His presence. "There is nothing in all the sky so grand as clouds smitten by sunshine, and the light is never so glorious as when it is flashed back from them and dyes their piled bosoms with all celestial colours. There is no experience of God’s Presence so blessed as that of a man who, in the midst of sorrow, has yet with him the assurance of the Father’s friendship and favour and love, and so can say ‘as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.’ This sunshine shines in the foulest corners, and the most thunder-laden clouds only flash back its glories in new forms."-- Alexander Maclaren