THE HAPPY MAN IN PSALMS Introduction: 1. In this world we see very few people who are truly happy. There is always something wrong; no contentment, etc. 2. Yet, the child of God should be content and happy in the service of the Lord. 3. The Psalmist tells us of a happy man and what goes to make him happy. 4. Read Ps. 1:1-6. BODY: I. "BLESSED IS THE MAN" The man that desires happiness and abhors sin (misery) Man has been created for happiness, not for misery and discontentment. But man has so left God's plan that he seeks happiness where it cannot be found. He tries alcohol, drugs, sensual life, in search of happiness, to no avail. Solomon searched for happiness in wisdom, wealth, knowledge, power; but concluded, "All is vanity and vexation of spirit." Could not find happiness in all of these earthly things. II. NEGATIVE SIDE OF THE HAPPY MAN: "Walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly." "Nor standeth in the way of sinners." Does not heed the ungodly counsel. Does not stand together and cooperate with sinners. Sinners of omission -- Jas. 4:17 -- "To him that knoweth...." Sinners of commission -- 1 John 3:4. "Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Does not mock and ridicule the holy things of God. Does not make fun of certain commandments of the Lord. Often leaving them off. NOTE: The three degrees of sinfulness --- the Ungodly; the Sinner; and the Scornful. This shows the progressiveness of sinning; the start is by receiving evil counsel. Cf. Jas. 1:13-15. III. POSITIVE SIDE OF THE HAPPY MAN: "His delight is in the law of the Lord." The desire and affection (love) of this man is in the law of the Lord. It is his rule of life, and all his actions are governed by this standard. How few truly delight in God's Word. Do I??? "In his law doth he meditate day and night." Not only does he read daily, but he meditates upon the wonderful truths found therein. He ponders upon that word, day and night. Deut. 6:7; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:13; 1 Peter 2:2 IV. THIS HAPPY MAN IS COMPARED TO A TREE: A Planted Tree -- does not grow wild of itself; dependent upon Jehovah. "By the rivers of water" Does not want for moisture to bear fruit. By the water of life. God's word is the fountain that quenches all thirst of the soul. John 4:14, 24. "Bringeth forth his fruit." Fruitful -- Produces as the husbandman desires it to. Matt. 3:10 -- "every tree that bringeth not forth good......" John 15:2,6 -- vine and branches "His leaf also doth not wither" Never dormant; he is an evergreen, always beautiful, always lively looking, full of life and vitality. Constant, dependable, etc. V. HE IS CONTRASTED WITH THE WICKED: "Not so" -- These things cannot be said of the wicked. "Are like chaff." -- An empty thing blown by the wind. Chaff shall be burned up, of no use whatsoever. VI. BOTH SHALL STAND AND FACE THE JUDGMENT: "Ungodly shall not stand in the judgment." They shall be condemned, not prepared to meet the Lord. They have squandered their life here on the lusts and the desires of the flesh and are now cast out. "Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous." The wicked, the unrighteous will be excluded from the righteous. There is simply no place for the wicked in the presence of Jehovah. Matt. 13:24-30 -- parable of the good seed and the tares. "The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous." Approved by the Lord; makes happiness; the Lord rewards. 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:7-8. "The way of the ungodly (wicked) shall perish." Shall come to naught; comes up "zero." Cast from the presence of the Lord. Rev. 20:11-15 -- Division of the righteous and the wicked. Conclusion: 1. Do I meet the requirements of a happy man? Do you?? 2. One must be God's child in order to find true and lasting happiness. 3. Cannot find happiness when struggling to keep from obeying the commandments of the Savior. 4. Do you wish to be happy? You can be, You know!!!!! Return to Index Home