What is happiness? Where is it to be found? If I find it; how do I keep it? Everyone ponders questions such as these in the ebb and flow of life. The introduction to the Psalter explores these questions with terse simplicity.
The psalmist wrestles our attention in the first line of the Psalter with these words . . . “Oh the happiness of the person.” Upon hearing these words, we perk up and pull our chair close to the sage of old. “Happiness, you say?” Our minds flutter in a million different directions as memories of moments never to be forgotten flood before our minds’ eye. Memories of moments when we can honestly say we felt that mysterious sensation we’re told to call happiness. “Do go on!” we anxiously utter. The sage continues, “Oh the happiness of the person who doesn’t walk after the wicked ones’ way of life, or stand with sinners in their way, or embody the lives of those who ridicule and oppress.” The warmth of memories cherished fade away as the chill of new images and memories parade before our minds. We breathe deeply in surprise. The sage nails NO TRESPASSING signs up around the land where happiness is reportedly to be found, barring the way to those who would, in defiance of their Creator, live lives lusting for power in order to satiate their selfish indulgences. Sensing our surprise, the sage continues. “But, oh the happiness of the person who finds pleasure in living YHWH’s torah, his way of life; and who meditates upon that way at all times.” Hearing these words, we are again surprised by the divine simplicity of it all. Happiness is found in YHWH! It’s found in the living of a life that embodies torah. We know such happiness is within our reach because the one in whom and through whom we live walked past the NO TRESPASSING signs without incident or charge. Our happiness is found re-living his life in our own. Oh the happiness of the person who walks in Jesus’ way of life, and stands within in his mission, and embodies his gentleness and humble love. This person will truly experience life in its fullest.
BD
The psalmist wrestles our attention in the first line of the Psalter with these words . . . “Oh the happiness of the person.” Upon hearing these words, we perk up and pull our chair close to the sage of old. “Happiness, you say?” Our minds flutter in a million different directions as memories of moments never to be forgotten flood before our minds’ eye. Memories of moments when we can honestly say we felt that mysterious sensation we’re told to call happiness. “Do go on!” we anxiously utter. The sage continues, “Oh the happiness of the person who doesn’t walk after the wicked ones’ way of life, or stand with sinners in their way, or embody the lives of those who ridicule and oppress.” The warmth of memories cherished fade away as the chill of new images and memories parade before our minds. We breathe deeply in surprise. The sage nails NO TRESPASSING signs up around the land where happiness is reportedly to be found, barring the way to those who would, in defiance of their Creator, live lives lusting for power in order to satiate their selfish indulgences. Sensing our surprise, the sage continues. “But, oh the happiness of the person who finds pleasure in living YHWH’s torah, his way of life; and who meditates upon that way at all times.” Hearing these words, we are again surprised by the divine simplicity of it all. Happiness is found in YHWH! It’s found in the living of a life that embodies torah. We know such happiness is within our reach because the one in whom and through whom we live walked past the NO TRESPASSING signs without incident or charge. Our happiness is found re-living his life in our own. Oh the happiness of the person who walks in Jesus’ way of life, and stands within in his mission, and embodies his gentleness and humble love. This person will truly experience life in its fullest.
BD