Years ago, Julie Andrews ran through the mountains of Austria singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music..." This "music" she referred to was not really audible. She was poetically saying that the mountains seemed to send a message for the inner man - an inspirational message that life is worth living. The truth be known, the entire world is filled with a joyful sound and those who know it are experiencing a message from God (Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 33:5; 104:24; 119:64; 19:1-4; Romans 1:19-20). Scripture is needed to make the connection. Psalm 89:15 will help us see what difference this sound can make in our lives.

The Joyful Sound is to be "known." Psalm 89:15

         As stated before, this is not necessarily an audible sound. It is something for the soul to know. People can hear songs of faith and even sing along with them, yet they may not know the joyful sound. Everything that God does speaks of Him. This, of course, includes the Scriptures and the people who have received His testimony through them (Psalm 145:1-12). Knowing the joyful sound will include knowing the character, the behavior and the promises of God (I Timothy 1:12; Romans 8:28; James 1:2-3 cp Romans 5:1-11. See also Ephesians 3:14-21.

The Joyful Sound is a cadence, setting the pace for how we should walk. Psalm 89:15

         A deeper look at James 1:2-8 would tell us that we need to cooperate / get in step with God's joyful sound ("But let..." cp. Colossians 3:15-17). In Psalm 89:15, the Hebrew word for "blessed" means "to walk a straight path." (See "Blessed" in Psalm 1:1-3.) The world is trying to interfere with the joyful sound, causing many to stumble and lose their way (II Corinthians 4:3-4; Matthew 13:19; Colossians 2:6-8; I John 2:15-17). See also Philippians 4:4-9.

The Joyful Sound directs us towards "the light of [His] countenance." Psalm 89:15

         "Countenance" refers to the look or expression on someone's face, revealing mood or character. What God thinks about us is more important than what anyone else thinks of us (Matthew 10:28; I Corinthians 4:3-5). Believers need to stay focused on what God thinks of them and what God plans to do with them (I Samuel 30:6; Zephaniah 3:17; Nehemiah 8:10; Jeremiah 29:11; 31:3; 33:3; 9:23-24 cp. 31:34; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 16:11; 32:7; Proverbs 15:15-17; Romans 8:28-39; Ephesians 3:14-21 - again, Psalm 89:15-18). See Paul's example in Acts 20:22-24 cp. II Timothy 4:6-8, 18.

Note: Psalm 89:19-37 shows that God has chosen a special servant, His Holy One, to deliver and provide for Israel. These same Messianic promises can encourage Gentile believers as well. So, it is Christ who actually cheers us and guides us and provides the joyful sound. See John 3:16-17; 8:12; 10:27-30; Ephesians 5:14; Philippians 4:13,19; Colossians 1:25-27; II Thessalonians 5:9-11; Psalm 89:1-4.