The first part of this psalm tells us how to be happy – that true and lasting happiness comes to those who trust in, and walk with, God. But how? What does God do to really help me be happy (or blessed; for often in Psalms happy and blessed are synonymous).
In verses 6-10, the psalmist lists 8 things God does or provides for those who trust Him. This is not an exhaustive list, obviously; but does give some good reasons for trusting God and finding our happiness in Him.
1. God executes justice for the righteous (vs. 7a). He makes sure that in the end all debts are paid; all rewards are distributed. God will make all things right… sometimes in this life, but certainly in the final judgment. The last phrase of verse 9 tells what God does for the unrighteous: “He frustrates the ways of the wicked.” Walk with Him and receive justice. Walk in wickedness and receive frustration!
2. God gives food to the hungry (vs. 7b). Jesus told the disciples that God fed the birds of the fields and that He knows our daily needs as well; so we should not worry. Trust God, walk with Him, and be fed – abundantly, with overflowing proportions.
3. God frees the prisoners (vs. 7c). “I’ve never even been in jail!” you might be thinking. You are still a prisoner – either a prisoner to sin, which leads to death; or of righteousness, which leads to eternal life. Again, walk with God and you receive blessings and happiness. Decide to walk without Him and you will remain in jail!
4. God opens the eyes of the blind (vs. 8a). Spiritually speaking, God gives us the ability to see and understand His truths. Walk with Him, trust Him, place your hope in Him and your knowledge of God and His ways, expectations, benefits, etc., will deepen. As it does, your walk becomes more of a blessing – providing even more happiness.
5. God raises up the oppressed (vs. 8b). Sin, frustration, sometimes just life…all have a way of causing us to live oppressed. We stumble under the weight of guilt, remorse, failures and shortcomings. What can we do about it? Nothing. What can God do about it? Take it away! With those weights gone, we can rise up. Jesus is the One – the only One – who can take away those burdens.
6. God loves the righteous (vs. 8c). God is love. His love is available to all who seek it. And having His love – His true, pure, everlasting love – is certainly a blessing we are unworthy of; yet one He wants to bestow. Perhaps the Bible’s most famous verse, John 3:16 tells us: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believed in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. God’s love, freely given…that really should make us happy!
7. God protects foreigners (vs. 9a). Foreigners, in this verse, means those the in-crowd may consider outcasts. Remember high school? Were you part of the in’s or the out’s? If you were an in, do you remember how your group felt about the out’s and how they were treated – ridiculed, or at best just ignored? If you were an out you probably don’t think about high school very often – not a pleasant memory. Now that you are an adult, are you an out? Do you know who cares for you – really cares? God. He is on your side, if you walk with Him. Talk about the ultimate in crowd!
8. God helps the fatherless and the widows (vs. 9b). The fatherless and the widows were the down-and-outs; the lower, unprotected class, with no rights or representation in society. Well, except that God decided He would be their champion – He would take up their cause! And He offers you and me the same provision. Why walk alone.
Live for God. Walk with Him in faith and obedience. Experience these eight benefits, and so many more, that He offers us each day.
And experience happiness…real, true and lasting happiness.
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