"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3

The psalm 1 teaches that true happiness comes through faithful obedience to God’s ‘law’ (v. 2). That law is not seen as a heavy burden weighing people down, nor as a set of kill-joy rules and regulations meant to make life miserable. On the contrary, it fills the righteous with such delight that they think on it constantly (v. 2). They pay heed to its warnings and avoid going along with the unrighteous crowd that willfully disregards it (v. 1). That’s why their lives resemble a strong, well- watered fruit tree (v. 3), whereas the wicked are blown away like the dry, scaly casing of cereal grains after threshing (v. 4). Real contentment is found in God alone. Rejecting him only leads to disaster.

Obedience and well-being are inextricably linked in the Bible. This is what Psalm 1 makes abundantly clear. Knowing and loving God’s Word is the key to happiness. So, let’s read it, enjoy it, and not make a chore out of it!

Closing Prayer

Lord, please help me to understand how much my happiness depends on the cultivation of holiness in my life (edited from Encounter with God)!