Woven Strands of Happiness
Reflective Reading: Psalms 1-2
Have you ever noticed Psalms 1 and 2 begin and end with the word “blessing”? The first verse of Psalm 1 reads,
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.”
The last verse of Psalm 2 reads,
“Blessed are all they who put their trust in Him.”
To capture the significance of this literary frame, we must first understand the meaning of the word blessed. In Hebrew, the word blessed in Psalms 1 and 2 is not the typical word ברך (baw-rak’) “blessing” that we normally find throughout the Scriptures. The word used here in Psalm 1 and 2 is אשר (eh’-sher), meaning “happy.” This word also carries the idea of “twisted,” “bound,” “straightened,” or “held together.” The etymology of this word is best described as the pressing of two ends together into a braid; a braid that was used for a strong rope or a rope used as a measuring line. This word “happy” also carries the idea of an umbilical cord—a twisted cord that provides nourishment and strength. So, what does all of this have to do with happiness?
This idea of a straight rope is important because the rope would need to be reliable for an accurate measurement. The word for “straight” is also the word for “righteousness” in Hebrew. The word for “crooked” carries the idea of “unrighteousness.” A blessed or happy person, אשר (eh’-sher), is one who lives a “straight” and “strong” reliable life. Their woven strength is attractive and trustworthy—you can count on them. Filled with spiritual nourishment (umbilical cord), their life presents a happy confidence that inspires and nourishes others.
Marriages, for example, are happiest when spouses live “straight” (morally upright) and reliable lives. They can be trusted. Their marriage is attractive to others because of the spiritual nourishment they provide as a trustworthy couple. Singles are blessed, or happy, when they live “straight”(morally pure) within the boundaries God’s design for them. Each strand that is woven to make the cord stronger and straighter is similar to a life that is adding more and more of God’s righteousness to their lives, and this my friends is what God calls a blessed אשר (eh’-sher), a truly happy, life!
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
Recommended Reading
Little Threads (Ages 6+)
Hungering and Thirsting book/audio drama (Ages 9+)
The Golden Thread (Ages 9+)
