Psalm 1
By Bro David Petersen
The Book of Psalms
Introduction |
Psalm 1 |
Psalm 9 |
Psalm 23 |
Psalm 30 |
Psalm 33 |
Psalm 34 |
Psalm 46 |
Psalm 96 |
Psalm 103 |
Psalm 119
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
The Meaning of Blessedness
Do not confuse blessedness with happiness. Blessedness is much more profound and broader in scope than happiness. Blessedness is deeper and wider. Blessedness is better than happiness. The Bible actually speaks relatively little of happiness.
For example the word "happy" appears 15 times in the New American Standard Bible which is one of the more literal translations of the Bible. However the term "blessed" appears 309 times. In every one of the 15 instances of the word happy, the happiness either comes as a result of something that God did for someone or as a result of obeying the Lord. In 3 of the cases the word really refers to enjoyment, being pleased or laughter. In only 1 of the 15 instances does the word appear in the New Testament (Rom 14:22) and in that case the word really means "blessed".
There are five Hebrew and two Greek words translated happy in the scriptures. One Hebrew word means "to be at rest, safe" (see Matt. 11: 28-30). Some scholars suggest it would be better if many of these words were primarily translated "blessed" instead of "happy." A comparison of John 13:17 in the King James and American Standard renditions illustrates my point. The King James has the following: "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." The American Standard renders the Greek word here, "makarior" thus, "If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them." (It is interesting that the King James did however translate makarior "blessed" in the beatitudes of Jesus, Matt. 5: 3 ff.)
In the world's view happiness is dependent upon our circumstances. Things need to go well for lost people to be happy.
Definition of happiness, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
- Favored by luck or fortune: FORTUNATE
- notably fitting, effective, or well adapted: FELICITOUS <a happy choice>
- a : enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment : JOYOUS b : expressing or suggestive of happiness : PLEASANT c : GLAD, PLEASED
But in contrast blessedness is not dependent on our shifting circumstances. Instead it is based on our relationship with God. And our relationship with God is steady, not shifting because it is based on his promises, not circumstances.
Blessedness is not dependent upon circumstances going well like worldly happiness is. According to the Bible, we can be blessed while being corrected by God, suffering for the sake of righteousness, and being reproached for the name of Christ (Job 5: 17; I Pet. 3: 14; 4: 14).
Blessedness In The Bible
God's blessing or favor is made effective by his attributes. Because God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, he is able to back up his blessings. He uses his power to bestow his favor upon the one whom he blesses.
God's blessing on people goes beyond mere happiness to include the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal 5:22-23.
This blessedness often manifests itself in the form of Christian joy. Christian joy looks beyond the present to our future salvation (Rom 5:2; 8:18; 1 Peter 1:4,6) and to our sovereign God, who works out all things for our ultimate good, which is Christlikeness (Rom 8:28-30). This kind of joy is distinct from mere happiness or the type of giddiness that the world recgonizes as joy. It is characterized by an abiding, calm delight. Joy like this is possible, even in the midst of sorrow (1 Cor 12:26; 2 Cor 6:10; 7:4).
Jesus taught nothing about happiness but he taught a lot about blessedness.
Matthew 5:1-11
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
The goal here is not to provide an exposition of the beatitudes of Matthew chapter 5, but rather to show that Jesus emphasized blessedness, not happiness. By the way if your Bible uses the word "happy" in Matthew chapter 5 verses 3-11, then throw that Bible away and get yourself a different translation that uses the word "blessed". As we have shown blessedness is vastly different from and superior to happiness.
The world offers you the illusion of happiness, but God offers you true blessedness.
The Book of Psalms
Introduction |
Psalm 1 |
Psalm 9 |
Psalm 23 |
Psalm 30 |
Psalm 33 |
Psalm 34 |
Psalm 46 |
Psalm 96 |
Psalm 103 |
Psalm 119