Would you describe yourself as successful? Cryptos and NFTs have finally (and somehow) brought you financial peace; your career brings fulfillment and joy; you have every title and accolade after your name; all your family members deeply love, admire, and care for you. According to your estimation, is this the measure of a successful person?
In fact, is this even the picture of a spiritually prosperous person? You might be surprised, but the Bible gives us a picture of prosperity, and it’s not complicated—it’s only two verses: “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked / or stand in the pathway with sinners / or sit in the company of mockers! / Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, / and he meditates on it day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2, CSB).
Okay, I might have spoken too soon. This picture of prosperity is a little complicated—at least, more complex than simply memorize these verses. For instance, just consider the first two words: it’s debatable whether we should translate the Hebrew here as “happy” or “blessed,” and this isn’t just me debating semantics. Happiness is an emotion I find within myself, while blessedness is a state of being, and someone else must give it to me: you don’t bless yourself; rather, someone blesses you. At risk of simplifying this distinction, let’s work with this definition: Life will go well for someone who does what follows.
Now are we done with these complexities, Jonathan? Sadly, there’s another problem to consider: the outcome of Psalm 1 probably feels idealistic to you. Just look at verse 3—for those who follow this blessed path, everything they do prospers. Really? So, if I don’t sit, crack open a beer, and joke with the wicked, sinners, and mockers, then life is going to be great? Not quite. we’re still missing the point of Psalm 1.
Thinking about the context, one could almost rename this psalm “An Ode to Deuteronomy 28.” In fact, much of the Old Testament is looking back to that chapter. In Deuteronomy 28, God gives Israel a list of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. When the nation cares and obeys God’s commands, the people dwell safely in the land, the earth brings forth an abundance of crops, and all Israel’s enemies are decimated. Every time the Israelites are at a low point of history, the prophets would allude to the language of this chapter’s curses, essentially telling the people, “What did you expect? God promised this exact situation would happen for your disobedience.” When the nation rarely did prosper, it’s because the people cared deeply about God’s Law and listened to it. Looking back at Psalm 1, the author gives us a picture of what a faithful Israelite looks like under these Deuteronomic blessings.
From all that follows, do I need to care about God’s Word? According to Psalm 1, the answer is a resounding yes. Going further, how much more should Christians under the New Covenant take this Psalm to heart. The promised Messiah, Jesus, was the only one who perfectly kept God’s Law; moreover, this same Messiah at the cross took on the Law’s curses for sinners. However, Jesus was also the Savior regularly seen in the temple, mediating day and night on God’s Law. Whenever Jesus debated the religious leadership, his usual rebuttal or quip was simply quoting the Old Testament. Jesus Christ cared deeply about what God said in the Bible.
Furthermore, Psalm 1 shows us that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. You cannot and will not love God on the path of wickedness. The Psalmist paints two paths, and these paths are going in opposite directions. A follower of Christ cannot be on this path of blessedness, while also taking the top ten insights of the wicked, sinners, and mockers. This is a picture of someone actively fleeing from all personal corrupting influence of wickedness. According to Psalm 1, this is the definitive picture of success and prosperity.
Ultimately, we’re now getting to the heart of Gospel. Think back to that difficult Hebrew word. Later, the Psalms use it again, only this time for a different reason: “How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, / whose sin is covered! / How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity / and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2, CSB). According to David here, Life will go well for someone who is in a righteous standing before God Himself. The Bible is clear on the only way one finds this standing before God: absolute trust and dependence on Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
What does it mean to be successful for Christians? When you have come into this authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, you find both happiness and blessedness. You know where you stand with God in life and death. You are not concerned with the path of wickedness and its definition of success. In Jesus Christ alone, and increasing obedience to Him, you find the sum and substance of biblical success and prosperity.