"THE TRULY HAPPY MAN"
Psalms 1:1-6
INTRODUCTION
1. Wherein lies the key to true happiness?
a. We live in a time where boredom, depression and other forms of
unhappiness are rampant
b. Here is a basic question.
Is there some basic
principle which determines success in finding
happiness?
Of course there are some people who think happiness is found in money or position.
They base their whole life in gathering security for their old age.
Now of course that is a very wise thing to do that is plan for your future.
But in that alone is not where true happiness comes from.
2. The Book of Psalms with its very first psalm shares with us a key
principle that can ensure true happiness...
a. Notice the very first word of the first psalm - "Blessed..."
1) The word in Hebrew denotes the idea of "happiness"
2) The actual force of the Hebrew could be translated "O how very
happy is the man..."
b. Therefore this psalm describes "The Truly Happy Man"
¨ Take a close look at the first psalm
¨ Seek to glean the principles necessary for one to truly be happy
[The psalm itself can be divided into three sections. The first section
describes...]
I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF
THE RIGHTEOUS MAN
A. WE ARE TOLD OF HIS CHARACTER (1-2)
1. Described first from a NEGATIVE point of view -
(Psa 1:1) 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.
a. There is value in negative commands or statements
1) For so much that destroys happiness is the fruit of
sinful activity
If we are looking for answers from the world, or our fellowship is with unbelievers then our happiness is at risk.
2) We ought to appreciate the value of negative commands
a) They keep us from going astray
b) They protect from harm and misery
-- Like restraining walls along a cliff, they
keep us from getting hurt
¨
Therefore
it is said that the truly happy man:
1) "Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly"
a) He does not take their counsel as to how to live
b) He does not follow the advice of those who are sinful
2) "Nor stands in the path of sinners"
a) The blessed man does not linger where sinners are known to go
b) For the temptation to go with them would be great
3) "Nor sits in the seat of the scornful"
a) He does not join himself with those who ridicule and
mock those trying to do right
b) Which sinners often do to fortify their conduct and
defend their actions
Then
we see the blessed mans character from a POSITIVE perspective -
(Psa 1:2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
a. "His delight is in the law of the Lord"
1) The source of his joy and happiness is the Word of God!
2) It is truly his "delight" -
(Psa 119:16) I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Jer 15: 16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation (Gods displeasure of Sin).
3) He preferred it over the counsel of the ungodly!
b. Therefore, In Ps 1:2 he states "in His law he meditates day and night"
1) The word meditate means to "moan, hum, utter, speak,
muse"
a) The picture is one of a man reading and re-reading
half aloud to himself
b) Another word might be "ponder"
2) This he does with God's word "day and night"
a) Not implying a monk-like existence
b) But a concerted interest which goes beyond a casual
acquaintance
3) What it means is that this is something...
a) He does habitually
b) He takes time to do - setting apart portions of each day
¨ WE ARE TOLD OF HIS PROSPERITY
(Psa 1:3) 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.
1. "He shall be like a tree"
a. This figure of speech is often used in Scripture to
describe the righteous -
Psa 92: 12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm
tree: he shall grow like a cedar in
13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
15 To show that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Jer 17: 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
2. "Planted by rivers of water"
a. A picture describing a person whose life is rooted in God's
word
b. From which one receives constant nourishment
3. "That brings forth fruit in its season"
a. Depicting a life which yields something worthwhile
b. Providing blessings to himself and others
4. "Whose leaf also shall not wither"
a. A tree with roots near a river is not likely to be affected
in times of drought
b. So adverse conditions do not affect the fruitfulness of one
whose strength comes from God's word!
[Such is the character and prosperity of the righteous man; he is truly
happy and a blessing to others because he abides in the Word of God. He
also becomes a monument to God's faithfulness and the value of living
by His word.
What of those who do
not delight in the Word of God, who do not receive
the nourishment found in it? In the next two verses we are shown...]
II. THE CONDITION OF
THE UNRIGHTEOUS
A. THEY ARE NOTHING LIKE THE RIGHTEOUS
(Psa 1:4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
1. The phrase "The ungodly are not so" is more emphatic in the
Hebrew
a. Literally, "Not so, are the ungodly!"
b. Emphasizing that the wicked are not like the righteous
2. The contrast as illustrated by the Psalmist
a. He does not even describe them as withering trees
1) But rather as "chaff which the wind drives away"
2) Alluding to chaff blown away from wheat as it is tossed
into the air.
(Luke 3:17) Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
d. The illustration describes a bleak existence
1) Their life is one of futility (ending in eternal
separation from God)
2) Their life is no substantial value, either to be blown
away and not found, or to be burned
B. THEIR SORRY CONDITION IS TO NO GOOD END
(Psa 1:5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
1. "The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment"
1) Meaning that the wicked "shall not be able to maintain
himself"
2) They are obliged to sit or fall down in shame when
convicted of their guilt
Rom 14: 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
[The psalm concerning "The Truly Happy Man" ends with...]
III. A FINAL CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO "WAYS"
A. THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS (6a)
1. The Lord "knows" the way of the righteous
2. The word "knows" suggests interest in, and care for, the
person known
-- One could say: "God himself goes with such a person throughout
his or her life"
B. THE WAY OF THE UNGODLY (6b)
1. The way of the ungodly person "shall perish"
2. I.e., shall tend toward ruin
-- His path becomes less defined until it loses itself (like a
trail that leads into a swamp)
CONCLUSION
1. Is not the end described for the ungodly a true description of those
who go through life bored, depressed, or otherwise unhappy?
a. Their lives are listless
b. With no sense of purpose or direction, gradually unraveling
2. Why is this so? Because they...
a. Heed the counsel of the ungodly!
b. Do not meditate upon the Word of the Lord!
3. If we desire to be "The Truly Happy Man"...
a. Standing strong like well-nourished tree, bearing fruit at all
times
b. With the Lord always at our side
-- Then the key is to delight and meditate in the Word of the Lord,
and not heed the counsel of sinners!
In whose counsel do you delight? That found in God's word, or that
provided by the ungodly in this world? If you seek true happiness, let
the Lord be your counselor, and His word your guide!