SUBJ: The justice and judgment of God seen as essential to God’s identity and the demands thereof met in Christ and that as the reason that the Gospel sound is joyful indeed.

AIM: That we might both hear and experience the Joyful Sound.

INTR: Psalm 89, is a mine from which precious treasure and experience may be brought to the heart of true believers.
1. Consider select portions that speak to us of reason to rejoice in Him: V. 1 and vv. 5-7
2. But the issue of God’s justice and judgment are never laid aside in the interest of mere celebration. Rather, they become the basis for our joy as we see them honored by Christ and met for us in Christ.
3. To behold the justice and judgment of God apart from mercy and grace is a most terrifying experience.

THESIS: Without a consideration of Justice and Judgment the Gospel would not sound joyful. The joyful announcement is that God has accepted the saving work of Jesus Christ after having received justice and judgment for all who believe on Him.

I. A Precious Paradox – Justice and Judgment found dwelling with mercy! (v. 14)
1. The word “habitation” speaks to us of establishment, permanence and the character of His Government (Throne). Note the description given in vv. 8-13!
2. The integrity of God demands justice
3. The Holiness of God demands judgment
4. It is essential that we see ourselves as subject to both that we may know that we must have mercy.
5. Only in God’s realm can justice cohabit with mercy. Men lay aside justice to show mercy. God honors it alongside mercy, in Christ.
6. Compare: Psalms 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. AND Psalms 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. – We see mercy and truth in both. (Analyze the line, “you can’t handle the truth,” with regard to what truth exposes in us.)
7. See especially Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

II. The Joyful Sound (v. 15)
1. It is the sound of praise to our redeemer God (on hearing others that are happy).
2. It is the reaction to the report that God is glorified and salvation is accomplished and claimed in Christ our Lord.
1) There is Love, Mercy, and Grace as attributed to God alone.
2) There is peace, pardon and forgiveness bought by the blood of Christ and delivered and made effective by the Holy Spirit.
3) Justification (justice satisfied with regard to us) is fully declared in Him as our substitute, and it is He that received the judgment due His people!!
3. It is the shout then of victory that is heard as in a victorious battle cry. See 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
4. It is the trumpet that sounded jubilee when all debts were discharged and restoration was made.
5. It is the proclamation of liberty for the captives: Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…
6. In short, it is the “glorious Gospel of Christ.”

III. The manifestation of this blessing (vv. 15-18)
1. They know the sound – “My sheep hear my voice…”
2. They walk in the light of His countenance – See Numbers 6:24-27 24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. AND 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
3. They rejoice in His name (compare this to contrived religious fervor).
4. They are exalted in righteousness. It is before God – in Christ; and before man who cannot deny its effect.
5. They know the Lord as their strength – Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
6. They experience the favor (grace) of God which exalts their presence (horn).
7. They have as their defense none other that the Holy One of Israel and our King of Kings.