Psalms 118:24:This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice [gheel] and be glad [saw-makh’] in it.
The context of this verse is the coming Messiah, who would be Jesus Christ, our Lord. We rejoice this day because God sent His Son to save us! The two Hebrew words, rejoice [gheel] and be glad [saw-makh’], are used together 25 times in the Old Testament. The word gheel means to “spin around with emotion” and the word saw-makh’ means to “brighten up or shine.” Today we can spin joyfully and shine forth with the good news of Christ our Lord.
Here are some places where God puts these two ideas together.
1 Chronicles 16:31:
Let the heavens BE GLAD, and let the earth REJOICE: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
All the heavens and earth are glad and rejoice because the Lord will help mankind.
Psalms 16:9-11:
Therefore my heart IS GLAD, and my glory REJOICETH: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
This is quoted on Pentecost about Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2,3 says it was the hope of being raised that gave him the endurance to overcome the cross. Jesus now enjoys the “fulness of joy” at the Father’s right hand. And we will join him in new spiritual bodies someday.
Psalms 31:7:
I will BE GLAD and REJOICE in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities.
Even though we mess up and get ourselves into trouble [or feel the brunt of Satan’s attacks in this fallen world], God always “considers” our trouble and listens to our soul’s heart cry when we are in adversity. His mercy and forgiveness are something to rejoice and be glad about!
Psalms 149:2:
Let Israel REJOICE [BE GLAD] in him that made him: let the children of Zion BE JOYFUL [REJOICE] in their King.
This is near the close of Psalms and reminds us that God made us to fellowship with Him. AND we are joyful in the “King,” the promised Messiah who saved us.
Isaiah 25:8,9:
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will BE GLAD and REJOICE in his salvation.
Amazing! This is quoted in I Corinthians 15 about the return of Christ. Like the people Isaiah spoke to, we too “have waited for him” knowing that Jesus HAS saved us and WILL return to complete our salvation in him. We are truly glad and rejoice in our salvation now, and in the great hope of future joy together with him throughout eternity.
Our Father will continue to do GREAT THINGS FOR US!
Joel 2:21:
Fear not, O land; BE GLAD and REJOICE: for the LORD will do great things.
Amen. I love you.
