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I. THE DUTY TO WHICH THE JOYFUL SOUND, KNOWN AND BELIEVED, EFFECTUALLY EXCITES MEN. "They shall walk."

1. They shall not sit still, doing nothing to purpose for God and their immortal souls, like the rest of the world, dead in trespasses and sins.

2. They shall not go back to their former lusts in their ignorance.

3. They shall hold forward in their way in spite of all opposition.

4. They shall walk on in the sight of the Lord, as he who walketh in the light walks in the sight of the sun.

II. THE PRIVILEGES WHICH THEY THAT KNOW AND BELIEVE THE JOYFUL SOUND SHALL THEREBY HAVE IN THEIR WALK HEAVENWARDS. "They shell walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance."

1. They shall be ever in a state of favour, peace and reconciliation with God,

2. No cloud of revenging wrath shall ever gather above their heads any more, no curse of the law, no guilt of eternal wrath.

3. Whatever cloud may gather above their head in their way heavenward, it shall never be so thick but the light of the Lord's countenance shall shine through it (Psalm 89:31-34).

4. They shall be directed in their way (Psalm 32:8).

5. They shall be strengthened in their way, for this light is the light of life.

6. They shall be cheered and comforted in their way. Hence we may learn —

(1) Whence it is that many communicants are nothing bettered by Gospel ordinances, but even go away as they come, a prey to their lusts and an evil world. They sit down to the feast, but they rise not up to the journey. Why? Alas! they never get into the saving knowledge of the joyful sound. They hear it, but they do not believe it. They believe it not with application to themselves. Hence it hath no quickening, nor sanctifying influence on them.

(2) Whence it is that many of the saints are so weak and comfortless in their way heavenward, walking so much in the dark. It is all owing to the small measure of their faith of the joyful sound.

(3) That the faith of the Gospel is the sovereign remedy in all darkness and distresses in which a person can be. Believing is a duty that can never be out of season. This is the way to bring one out of darkness into the light. If then thou art in desertion, temptation, or affliction, go to the promise and embrace it by faith. Believers, bless God for what your ears do hear and for what your eyes do see. Seek for more of this blessedness. As ever ye would walk on your way heavenward, safely and comfortably, labour more and more to know the joyful sound; and to know it so as to believe it; and to believe it so as to apply it to your own souls, according to your several exigencies.

(T. Boston, D.D.)

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KJV: Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

WEB: Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh.