How heart-cheering to the believer is the delight which God has in his saints! We cannot find any reason in ourselves why the Lord should take pleasure in us. We cannot even take delight in ourselves—we often groan under the burden of our sinfulness, deploring our unfaithfulness. And we suspect that God's people cannot take much delight in us either, for they see so many imperfections and follies that they have more reason to lament our infirmities than admire our graces.

But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious mystery: that as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so does the Lord rejoice over us!

We do not read anywhere that God delights in the cloud-capped mountains or the sparkling stars, but we do read that he delights in the habitable parts of the earth, and that his delights are with the sons of men. We do not find it written that even angels give his soul delight. Nor does he say concerning cherubim and seraphim, "You shall be called Hephzibah—My Delight Is in Her—for the Lord delights in you." But he does say all that to poor fallen creatures like ourselves—debased and depraved by sin, but saved, exalted, and glorified by his grace!

In what strong language he expresses his delight in his people! Who could have conceived of the Eternal One as bursting forth into song? Yet it is written: "He will rejoice over you with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over you with singing."

When he looked upon the world he had made, he said, "It is very good." But when he beholds those who are the purchase of Jesus' blood, his own chosen ones, it seems as if the great heart of the Infinite can restrain itself no longer, but overflows in divine exclamations of joy!

Should we not utter our grateful response to such a marvelous declaration of his love, and sing, "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation!"