Intro to Psalm 1: The Happy Man

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. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 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. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  (Psa 1:1-6)

What a glorious way for the book of Psalms to start, BLESSED!  HAPPINESS! What a wonderful God we serve, blessedness and happiness are His ways for us. How truly great and merciful is our Lord, not only does He save us, but desires and provides ways for our happiness. Isn't that what the world is looking for? Isn't that what most people are looking for in a President, one that would bring them happiness? People want to be happy, but don't know where to find happiness. Don't believe me? Look at how many results come up when you Click here. This is clearly something people are looking for something people THINK they have the answer to. 

God tells all people how they will be happy, yet His ways are forsaken. Are you looking for happiness? If you have not found this gladness of heart, where are you looking for it? There are two paths, two roads in the Psalm. The happy man doesn't walk with the ungodly, he does not stand in the way of sinners, he does not sit with the scornful. Are you looking for happiness with the wind driven chaff?

Happiness and gladness of heart comes from the Lord and contentment in His ways and His Word. There is delight in the scriptures. There is happiness in thinking about them, meditating on them, learning more of Christ. The Holy Spirit takes that Word and grounds us in that blessed truth, then produces fruit in us, which only brings about more happiness. 

I exhort you to take this Psalm to heart, to memorize it, to keep it with you all the days of your life, that you will never forget the way of peace and joy.

“This Psalm carries blessedness in the frontispiece [the decorative engraving on the first page of a book] ; it begins where we all hope to end; it may well be called a Christians’ Guide, for it discovers the quicksand where the wicked sink down in perdition, and the firm ground on which the saints tread to glory” Thomas Watson’s Saints’ Spiritual  Delight

Grace & Peace,

Doug