The Happy Man

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in its season
and its leaf does not wither;
and in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:3

The first Psalm constitutes a contrast between the godly individual who delights in God’s law and the ungodly person who is destined for destruction. “Blessed” literally means “happy,” and the habits of such a happy one are described as not only avoiding the thought patterns and lifestyle of the ungodly (Psalm 1:1), but also delighting in and obeying the Word of God (Psalm 1:2). Our text describes four results of being blessed or happy in the biblical sense.

First, “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water.” With the implication being to swell in secure, bountiful state. The verb “plant” actually means “transplanted,” now firmly rooted and provided for, no longer vulnerable, tentative, and undernourished.

Second, “which yields its fruit in its season.” One does not so nourish a tree without any purpose. Here, following the analogy, the godly individual, nourished and protected by his Maker, can likewise expect to accomplish a purpose - in this case to bear spiritual, eternal fruit.

Third, “and its leaf does not wither.” Eternal life is the present possession of all who have been “transplanted” by the Lord. Such a one can expect to faithfully bring forth precious fruit in each session of his life.

Fourth, “and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Success in each endeavor undertaken by one whose delight is the Lord can be expected, such success defined by that which brings spiritual maturity, and eternal fruit, and prosperity, as He defines prosperity.

“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.”  Psalm 1:6