Psalm 1:1-2 were a great reminder for me this morning. This passage says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

The words that stood out to me today are “blessed,” “delight” and “meditates.” The word “blessed” is describing someone who is in a good position. This person is “happy” or “fortunate” and the Greek translation of this passage uses the same word in the Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-11). This passage shows us again that happiness is the byproduct of something else. In this case it comes from delighting in and meditating upon God’s Word.

How does “delight” relate to the law of the LORD? Notice the Translator’s Handbook of the Book of Psalms says, “In translation it is important to make clear the relation between delight and the law of the Lord. This may often be done by using two verb forms … ‘find joy’ and ‘obeying.’ The first can often be the cause and the second the result; for example, ‘Because they obey the Law of the Lord, they are happy.’”

Happiness comes from finding my joy and pleasure in the will of God. I become aware of this as I “meditate” on the Word. The same Handbook gives great insight to the word meditate when it says the word means, “‘reads carefully,’ ‘studies,’ ‘pores over’… meaning intensive, careful reading and study. ..Meditates may often be rendered as ‘reading and thinking about.’”

For me to be able to carefully read the Word in this manner, I need to make time for it! Such study and contemplation as to its meaning and application to my life does not come easily. I must find time to think deeply about the Word, and find my delight in obedience because this will result in my joy.

Father, thank you for allowing me to have your Word and be able to read it and study it. Help me to understand your Word, and apply it to my life because that is where my true joy is found.

Following Jesus with you,

Jeff