How Blessed - Part 5 (Trusting God)

"How blessed is/are ... !" God intentionally blesses Israel, those in His presence, those free from sin, and those who live righteously. Fifth, God blesses those who trust Him. There is divine reward for those who look to the right place as their source of help.

"How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood" (40:4, all verses from Psalms). This psalm rises from personal testimony of God's deliverance of David. David isn't just saying empty words. He knows and has been convinced of their truth, because he has seen it happen.

The blessed man is one who has made God his trust. This is a determined choice. A person decides what he will establish or set up as his source of trust, and he fixes himself on that source. The source of trust is viewed as an object of confidence, refuge, and security. This is no lightly taken step. It is deliberate and purposeful. Not nebulous, this is a clear determination to trust God, and it is made with the realization of what that trust means. With a sense of confidence and assurance, the trusting man knows that his chosen Source will take care of him.

The verse offers a contrast. The people who make God their trust are blessed, but there are people who make other choices - choices that are woefully inadequate. Instead of trusting in God, some people trust in the proud or in deceivers. The proud or defiant man thinks he has all the answers and may even reject the ideas of others; nevertheless, he does not know the answers and therefore is not a good source for trust. The untruthful man may seem reliable for a time, but he soon falls away and degrades into lies and deception. This man is not a good source for trust, as no confidence can be placed in what he says.

God is not like either of these two undependable groups of men; He is not puffed up with empty ideas of what might work, and He never deceives or misleads, even for the purpose of making people feel better. What God plans and advises is the right answer, and He always tells the truth. He is therefore an excellent source of trust, and trusting in Him leads to blessing.

"O LORD of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!" (84:12). Once again, we see that the man who trusts in God is blessed. God illumines his path and protects him. God gives him grace and glory. God showers him with the good things he needs. (See v. 11).

"How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God" (146:5). Although this verse could seem to refer to blessing for Israel, it is not limited to them. This is about those who trust in Israel's God - which some Jews did and some Jews didn't. Likewise, some Gentiles can trust in that God - the true God, the God who has orchestrated history, the God who has created and who sustains the world, the God who helps the helpless. These characteristics make him a universal God, available to all who trust Him.

In this verse, these blessed people have two characteristics. First, the true God is their help. That isn't so much about what they do as about what God does, but the point is that they are looking to God for their help - for the succor and aid they need in their hour of difficulty. Second, their hope is in God. This certainly clarifies that they are looking to God as their source of help. He is the one they depend on and expect answers from.

"Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" (2:12). "Him" is referring back to the Son as the place of refuge. This verse (and passage) present a great contrast. Some people do not take refuge in God; instead, they puff themselves up as sufficient and powerful. Those people stand in jeopardy of God's anger, of perishing in the way, and of kindling His wrath.

On the contrary, those who take refuge in God escape those disasters. Taking refuge is the act of fleeing for protection. It is a deliberate action taken because one is aware of imminent danger. When the dangers and trials of life come, there are some people who run to God and who hope in Him as their help and strength. These people are blessed - all of them. No one who takes such a dependent position on God will be abandoned.

"O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (34:8). David wrote these words also from personal experience. The psalm recalls the time when he found himself in a tenuous situation before a foreign king, and God delivered him through the dubious scheme of a feigned display of madness. By this testimony, David reveals that his trust was not in his own harebrained scheme, but in God his refuge, who made the unlikely plan work. David rejoices in sharing what God has done for him and will do for others who also take refuge in God.

"How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion!" (84:5). This is a man who draws his strength from God. Knowing he does not have strength in himself and that no other source is sufficient, he relies on the best source. This man also loves what God loves. This man whose heart is united with God and whose strength comes from God is blessed. Indeed, all who trust God are blessed!

How Blessed - Part 4 (The Righteous)

"How blessed is/are ... !" God intends blessing for Israel. Blessing is found in God's  presence and in being free from sin. A fourth channel of blessing is by living righteously.

"For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield" (5:12, all verses from Psalms). The emphasis is that it is God who blesses. While people often trust in other sources, nothing can powerfully protect like God can. God is a refuge and shelter (v. 11) and a surrounding shield. God's blessing protects, and it also surrounds people with favor, goodwill, and pleasure. This divine protection and favor is especially shown to the man who is upright in conduct and character.

"Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD" (128:4). With four verses revealing the same characteristic, fearing the Lord is clearly an important factor in receiving God's blessing. The righteous man views God with reverence, godly fear, respect, honor, and awe.

"He will bless those who fear the LORD, the small together with the great" (115:13). This second verse about fearing God reveals that both small and great are included. The terms refer to size, age, or significance. Someone doesn't have to be a great, important person to receive God's blessing. God sees the upright heart, even when someone is unnoticed by others. The blessing might not be flashy. Some of the people blessed by God are "small" and may still be perceived that way even after receiving God's blessing. The fact that someone is not in an eye-catching position does not mean that God isn't blessing.

"How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments" (112:1). This verse shares two characteristics; the first is fearing the Lord. Blessing comes to the man who is not presumptuous, haughty, or self-absorbed. Because he puts himself in the proper position, he doesn't diminish the honor due to God. He recognizes God as highly exalted and worthy of the utmost reverence. This leads naturally to the second characteristic, delighting in His commandments. One who fears God realizes he must honor and obey God, so the blessed man takes pleasure in doing what God asks.

"How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways" (128:1). This fourth verse once again identifies fearing God as a means of blessing, and then gives a second characteristic: walking in His ways. Referring to one's manner of living, everything that this man does on a regular basis as he goes through life is within the path that God has set out for him. He follows the direction that God has chosen and takes the steps that God has ordained.

"His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed" (112:2). Referring back to the man who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments, this verse gives one new description - that he is upright. He is straight, correct, and proper, with no deception or wavering. He is sincerely dedicated to doing what is right without compromising. The blessing on this man actually extends beyond him to impact his descendants and leave a mighty legacy.

"How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!" (106:3). Blessing comes to those who keep justice, who carefully and consistently make right decisions, who evaluate situations to distinguish what is right and wrong, and who take action for the right. Blessing also comes to those who consistently practice righteousness, doing right at all times. Both characteristics display a dedication to doing what is right with regularity and constancy. This man isn't unpredictable, swayed by the situation, or inconsistent during some stages of life; rather, he has a lifetime of deliberate, faithful pursuit of what is right.

"How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart" (19:2). First, the blessed man observes God's testimonies. Like a watchman or guard protects what is under his care, he carefully keeps God's divine laws. He is diligent to maintain their integrity and purity. Second, the blessed man seeks God with all his heart. He comes to God in prayer and worship, desiring to know His mind and desires. He is fervently and fully devoted to God, not half-hearted or sporadic. He has a high level of dedication to God and His commands.

"He shall receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation" (24:5). The blessed man is identified in the previous verse: "He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully." God's blessing comes to a man of integrity, who has four characteristics. First, he has clean hands. He is innocent and free from guilt and has not used his hands for ungodly actions. Second, he has a pure heart, clear and sincere. His cleanliness is not merely external, but his heart is clean toward God. Third, he has not lifted up his soul to falsehood. He has not given himself to carrying communication that is empty, vain, or false. Fourth, he has not sworn deceitfully. He has not taken an oath under treachery. His word and character can be trusted. This man of internal and external integrity receives blessing from God.

"How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble" (41:1). God blesses those who look on the helpless; the primary emphasis seems to be their physical situation: social, financial, health. They have actual, meetable needs, and the man who will be blessed identifies, evaluates, and helps. God in turn delivers and intervenes when he is in need.

Obviously, righteous people have problems. Their lives are not perfect, and they might not be affluent. Regardless, there is very real blessing for those who live righteously in the fear of God.

How Blessed - Part 3 (Free From Sin)

"How blessed is/are ... !" God reserves special blessing for Israel. God blesses those who enjoy the closeness of His  presence. A third revealed avenue to blessing is in being free from sin. God blesses those who turn from a lifestyle of sin as well as from specific known sins.

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!" (Psalm 1:1). This verse gives three characteristics of a blessed man; each one involves deliberate disassociation from ungodly people. First, he does not walk with the wicked - those who are guilty of crimes against man or God, those who are hostile to God. The blessed man's feet do not travel the same paths with such people; he does not desire to walk in the same direction. Second, the blessed man does not stand with sinners - those who have been condemned and judged as offenders. He does not take his position with such people or accompany them. Third, he does not sit with scoffers - those who deliberately disfigure their faces as they speak from hearts of ridicule.

Throughout life, the blessed man will have to come in contact with these people from time to time, but he is not habitually with them. He does not order his life so that he is known for regular association and companionship with them. Instead, he wants to associate with God and His Word (v. 2). This is not a casual acquaintance, like those other relationships could be; rather, it is as constant as possible. Day and night the blessed man seeks the Word because he delights in it. Those other associations might be inevitable in the course of life, but this one is deliberate, based on a conscious choice to avoid associations of defilement and evil, and to embrace associations of righteousness and godliness.

"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!" (Psalm 32:1). David wrote this psalm from experience, knowing in a powerful way what is was like to have his sin forgiven. Prior to that forgiveness, David was not blessed. Rather, he experienced his body wasting away, constant groaning, God's hand heavy on him, and his strength drained away as from an illness. Once his sin was forgiven, that oppressive situation changed; David defines that change and restoration as blessing.

This verse is very personal. David is talking about specific sin and specific forgiveness, indicating that the blessing is renewed each time such confession and forgiveness takes place. Forgiveness refers to something being lifted and carried off; there is blessing in having such a heavy burden removed. David also says his sin is covered - hidden, clothed, or concealed so that the nastiness is no longer seen. There is blessing in not having a constant visible reminder of that stain. David's emphasis regarding blessing is on having the negative and oppressive removed. He doesn't specifically describe blessing from a positive standpoint, although in the final verse he speaks of gladness, rejoicing, and shouting for joy.

"How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!" (Psalm 32:2). Instead of continuing to refer to a specific personal incident, the next verse in the same psalm describes an overall principle. This more general statement gives two descriptions of a blessed man. First, he is one to whom God does not impute iniquity. There would not be blessing in knowing there is something unpaid and heavy that is hanging over one unresolved. It would be a blessing, however, to have the ledger cleared and balanced, not caught in a position where God has something to hold on one's account. Second, the blessed man is someone in whose spirit there is no deceit. In a broad sense, deceit is overlooking or taking something casually, probably deliberately trying to hide it. In the context of sin, it is someone who carries un-confessed sin, particularly with the attitude that it isn't a big deal or for the purpose of trying to make himself look good. Blessing comes to those who don't try to deceive, but who acknowledge and deal with sin.

"Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, and whom You teach out of Your law" (Psalm 94:12). There are wicked people who face God's judgment without ever falling under His favor; there are others who experience correction because an interested God chooses to intervene in their lives. This psalm contrasts those two groups, and identifies the second group as blessed. God first of all chastens these blessed people. He disciplines, instructs, admonishes, and corrects. This chastening, while not necessarily harsh, is deliberate; the goal is to correct what is wrong so the recipient will change and do what is right. A loving parent does this because he wants his child to turn out well, not facing harsh consequences for wrong choices; he desires long-term good and benefit for his child. When God does this for His children, they are blessed. A loving and benevolent God is trying to keep them on the right path and prevent the heavy repercussions of following the wrong path.

God's second action is to teach these blessed people from His law. This training requires some effort by the students to learn. Again, this is a personal intervention by God to help these people know the right way to walk, a way that will lead to blessing, and not to destruction or burden. God's instruction about the right way is found in the Bible. Those who diligently study and follow the Bible will know the right way to live so their lives can be blessed.

In summary, the blessed man avoids the lifestyle and associations with sin. He confesses known sin and yields to God's correction. He deliberately studies the Bible so he can avoid sin.

How Blessed - Part 2 (God's Presence)

"How blessed is/are ... !" While God's blessing is always undeserved, there are certain aspects that God reveals as specifically opening the windows of blessing. One of those associations is that blessing is found in God's presence. There is blessing associated with fellowship with and closeness to God.

"How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple" (Psalm 65:4). Referring to God's courts, His house, and His holy temple, this verse seems to be focused on the place of worship. There is a blessing in being in that place of nearness to God. There is a satisfaction with its goodness. The blessing seems to be linked to the closeness of fellowship, as these people are near to God. They are dwelling with Him in His house. What a blessed position! What other position or location could be so beneficial and salutary? While the specific emphasis of this verse is on frequenting the place of worship, a level of blessing would certainly be found in closeness to God in other contexts; nevertheless, that constant blessing of nearness to God does not belittle the special blessing that is found in the place of worship. It is interesting that these blessed people are not acting fully of their own volition or of their own initiative to put themselves in the place of blessing. Rather, God has chosen them and has brought them near. Man is naturally alienated from God, but He has selected people and set them apart. Who could ever make himself worthy of God's blessing when God is the one who chooses the people that He then blesses?

"How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You" (Psalm 84:4). The first four verses of this psalm focus on the house of God. It is lovely (v. 1). It is a place that the soul longs for and yearns for (v. 2); something inside man recognizes that there is a special and desirable quality about that place. God's house is like a home for those who have no home, a shelter for those who are frail and dependent (v. 3). God's house, that very special place, is opened freely to all those who want to dwell there. Because dwelling in God's house, a place of blessing, is also a means to blessing, the people who frequent that place have constant reason to praise God.

"How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance" (Psalm 89:15). This blessing is associated with those who know (are acquainted with) the joyful sound, which is a shout of joy. If this phrase were used in a negative or sobering sense, it would refer to a shout of war, an alarm, or a call to march. This sound or shout is somewhat spontaneous and significant, given in response to a specific situation or observation. The shout in this verse is joyful, based not in alarm but in wonder. Based on the rest of the psalm, it seems this shout of joy comes from those who know God well.

The psalm talks much of the revelation of God and His character. He is so amazing that even the heavens praise Him (v. 5), the sea obeys Him (v. 9), and the mountains shout for joy (v. 12). The psalm talks of God's greatness through the covenant made to David, by the fear given by the council of the holy ones, and by His conquest of Rahab (Egypt) and other enemies. The psalm speaks of God's lovingkindness, His faithfulness, His wonders, His incomparable nature, His unmatched might, His deserved fear, His unparalleled awesomeness, His unique might, His sovereign rule, His unstoppable judgment, His creative work, His strength, His righteousness, His justice, and His truth.

The psalmist's intent is to declare these attributes, many of which are also declared by history and by nature. When people hear these declarations and embrace this knowledge, they are compelled to shout with joy. Those who know God well have great reason for rejoicing. They are blessed, and they walk in the light of God's countenance. Their constant journey through life is filled with the illuminating presence of God. This closeness to God, both in knowing His character and in walking in His presence, is a source of blessing.

"For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence" (Psalm 21:6). This psalm is actually a personal testimony of David as king. He recounts the blessings God has given to him. God gave David strength and salvation. God granted David the desires of his heart and the requests of his lips. God gave him good things. God made him king. God preserved his life. God gave him glory, splendor, and majesty. God's blessing to David had an eternal aspect.

This is a special and unique blessing given especially to David, based on the covenant God had made with him. It is interesting to note, however, the concept that David links to his statement of abundant blessing; he associates the blessing with joyfulness and gladness in the presence of God. While this could be just one more thing in the long list of blessings, it is the one statement David makes when he most fully summarizes God's blessing on him. All of those previously mentioned blessings could be interpreted as evidences and results of the close relationship David enjoyed with God. God blessed David because he was a man after His heart. The very heart of David was in fellowship with the heart of God.

There is blessing in daily nearness to God and in having a heart closely linked to Him. There is a special blessing found in frequenting God's house. How blessed indeed to be near to the presence of God!