The Joy of the Saints

“The people walking in darkness have seen a bright light; on the inhabitants of the land of the shadow of death has the light dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice at your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, or as men are joyous when they divide spoil.” (Isaiah 9:2–3)

“Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame leap like deer, and the tongue of the dumb shout for joy. Water shall break forth in the wilderness and streams [flow] in the desert. The land of mirages shall become one of lakes, the thirsty place springs of water; in the haunt of howling creatures shall marshes break out, in the reserves shall come rushes and reeds.” (Isaiah 35:5–7)

“There shall be highways and roads which shall be called the Way of Holiness, for they shall be for such [as are holy]. The unclean shall not traverse them; on them shall no reprobates wander. No lions shall be encountered there, nor shall wild beasts intrude. But the redeemed shall walk them, the ransomed of Jehovah shall return; they shall come singing to Zion, their heads crowned with everlasting joy. They shall have won joy and gladness when sorrow and sighing flee away.” (Isaiah 35:8–10)

“Then shall it happen in the earth among the nations as when an olive tree is beaten, or as grapes are gleaned when the vintage is ended. Then will these lift up their voice and shout for joy, and [those] from across the sea exult at Jehovah’s ingenuity. Because of it they will give glory to Jehovah in the regions of sunrise, and in the isles of the sea to the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. From a sector of the earth we hear singing: Glorious are the righteous! Whereas I thought, I am wasting away; I am weakening: woe is me; the traitors have been treacherous, the turncoats have deceitfully betrayed!” (Isaiah 24:13–16)

“As the rains and snows descend from the sky, and return not to it without watering the earth, to render it fertile and fruitful— providing seed for the sower and food for the eater—so is the word that leaves my mouth: it does not return to me empty; it accomplishes what I desire, achieves the purpose for which I sent it. You shall depart in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and hills shall sing at your presence and the trees of the meadows all clap their hands. In place of the thornbush shall come up the cypress, in place of nettles, the myrtle. This shall serve as a testimony of Jehovah, an everlasting sign that shall not be done away.” (Isaiah 55:10–13)

“Sing to Jehovah a new song; [sing] his praise from the end of the earth. Let the sea roar, and all that lives in it, the isles and they who inhabit them. Let the desert and its cities raise [their voice], and the villages where Kedar dwells; let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy and cry out from the tops of the mountains. O let them give glory to Jehovah, and in the isles speak out in praise of him.” (Isaiah 42:10–12)

“I rejoice exceedingly in Jehovah; my soul delights in my God. For he clothes me in garments of salvation, he arrays me in a robe of righteousness—like a bridegroom dressed in priestly attire, or a bride adorned with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its vegetation, and as a garden causes what is sown to spring up in it, so will my Lord Jehovah cause righteousness and praise to spring up in the presence of all nations.” (Isaiah 61:10–11)

“See, I create new heavens and a new earth; former events shall not be remembered or recalled to mind. Rejoice, then, and be glad forever in what I create. See, I create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.” (Isaiah 65:17–18)