Psalm 1 – Happiness
For the next three weeks we are going to be looking at the first 18 Psalms using notes written by Dr. Thomas Donachie.
We live in days when boredom, depression and other forms of unhappiness seem to be very common indeed and happiness is often thought to be found in things that only bring temporary relief. Many would question whether true and lasting happiness can ever be enjoyed. In this first psalm we are given a key principle that can give true happiness. The first word of the psalm is translated ‘blessed’, but it could equally be translated as ‘happy’ and so the psalm could be entitled, ‘The Truly Happy Man’.
There is a contrast in the psalm, not just between the happy and the unhappy, but between the righteous and the unrighteous and here we see the difference between God’s perspective and that of man. Righteousness is often associated with being miserable and wickedness with ‘having a good time’. Yet here it is the righteous that enjoy a life of happiness on earth and eternal bliss in heaven, whilst the ungodly have an unfulfilled life on earth and eternal misery after death.
The blessedness or happiness spoken of is to be achieved by a rejection of certain ways of life and an acceptance of others. He is to reject the ‘wisdom’ of the world; he does not base his life on the advice of ‘celebrities’ or life-style gurus. He does go where the people go who do not know God. He does not join in with them, especially with those who make fun of his Lord. His delight is not in wickedness, but in the ‘law of Lord’. His guidance for life is found through his regular study of the word of God.
Such a way of life is only possible for the one who has had his sins forgiven through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Questions
- Where can true happiness be found?
- How can we find this happiness?
Prayer Points
- Pray that those around you would find true happiness in Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.