Psalm 146
Some time ago an English newspaper asked this question of its readers, “Who are the happiest people on earth?” These were the four prize-winning answers: 1. A craftsman or artist whistling over a job well done; 2. A child building sand castles; 3. A mother bathing her baby after a busy day; and, 4. A doctor who finished a difficult and dangerous operation saving a human life!
Those are all good answers, but according to Psalm 146 the right answer to the question, “Who are the happiest people on earth?” is God’s people. The happiest people on earth are those who know the God of heaven because nothing rivals knowing God. Knowing that we are loved by God and will be loved by God forever is the source of true happiness. Boundless joy is not found in the creation or in any creature, but in the creator Himself (Deut. 33:29; Psa. 144:15). True happiness is not found in sinning, but in being forgiven of sin and living a righteous life (Psa. 32:1-2, 11). True happiness is not found by taking a journey into oneself, but by looking away from oneself to God and His Son, Jesus Christ (Prov. 16:20; Mark 8:35). Happiness is as the old chorus put it, “to know the Savior, living a life within His favor, happiness is the Lord.”
In Psalm 146 we discover the secret to true happiness. This is a song for those who want to be happy, happy, happy. Verse five tells us, “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” First, happiness comes to those who live out the purpose for which they were created, and that is to glorify God in all that they do (Psa. 146:1-2; Rev. 4:11). Happiness is the preserve and possession of the worshipping soul. Solid joys come to those who understand that happiness is the byproduct of knowing, loving, and seeking God. We were made by God and for God and we cannot ignore our Creator and successfully find happiness at the same time (Col. 1:16; Rom. 11:36). Second, happiness comes to those who trust in God for help (Psa. 146:3-10). Life has a way of constantly reminding us that we need help; but the child of God can smile at the storm because if God is for us, who can be against us (Rom. 8:31). Psalm 146 outlines specific ways that God is for us! He is for us as one who has power (v. 6a), as one who keeps His promises (v. 6b), as one who acts justly (v. 7), as one who cares deeply (vv. 7-9), as one who delivers greatly (vv. 7-8), as one who frustrates the wicked (v. 9), and as one who reigns supremely (v. 10). With our bases covered, joy is the result! Third, happiness is the result of hope (Psa. 146:5b). The fact is that a sense of wellness is always tied to expectations. Hope must fuel human endeavors or despair results. When we have something to look forward to we have something to live on and smile about. To a large degree, happiness is an anticipation of better days (Prov. 4:18; 10:28; 11:23; 13:12). The psalmist says that we have that hope in God who reigns forever; therefore our hope is as boundless as the God who inspires it (Psa. 146:5, 10).
Happiness is a good thing, but more importantly it is a good God thing! Seek happiness as an end and you will never find it, but seek God and you will find it truly and fully!