Psalm 1 answers a very simple question, “How can one be happy?” (the Hebrew word translated “blessed” in most English translations in Psalm 1:1 is “asher” which means “happy”). The first thing the psalmist does in answering that question is talk about what not to do. That is, he starts his lesson in happiness with a serious of “do not”s (v. 1). The parts of the series work together to frame a single answer: avoid bad company. Do you want to be happy? Then pay close attention to who you spend your time with and who influences you.
The second part of the psalmist’s lesson in happiness focuses on the Bible. The psalmist says that a happy person is someone whose, “delight is in the law of the Lord…” (ESV). Notice that the psalmist specifies “delight” here. This means that it is not people who go on reading the Bible begrudgingly who find happiness, rather, it is people who find deep satisfaction and pleasure in reading God’s Word. People who see the Bible as a life sustaining force are those who are happy.
The psalmist moves forward by offering the readers a comparison. He compares the happy person to a healthy tree. We know the tree is healthy because it gives fruit in its season and doesn’t wither in the hot sun. This comparison is rich. It indicates that happy people are not naively free from problems, but those who stand firm and healthy in facing those problems.
But what’s the source of that strength? The streams of water. While the tree represents the person, the streams of water represent God’s Word. Notice that this tree isn’t planted by a bog,or an ocean. This tree is by a source of water that is constantly fresh and clean. This water is alive, it moves. This water provides all the nutrients the tree needs to not only survive, but to thrive.
Want to thrive? Surround yourself with the right people and stay in the word.
The psalmist closes the poem with a different comparison. Starting in verse 4, he compares the happy person to the “wicked”. He says that if the happy person is like a tree by living water, than the wicked are like chaff that is blown away by the wind. There is no substance in chaff. It doesn’t last long. There is no life in it and its state is entirely dictated by the conditions surrounding it.
Furthermore, says the psalmist, in the end, all will be able to tell the difference between those who are chaff and those who are trees (v. 5). Jesus teaches us that we will not always be able to tell his genuine followers from the posers. There is a time coming, however, when the light will shine into the darkness and all will be seen.
Happy people are those who live their lives with the assurance of God’s perfect love and justice.
Want to be happy? Keep good company, love the Word of God, and be assured that in the end, justice reigns.
