The hashtag, ‘blessed,’ has been popularized on social media to describe the lavish lifestyles of influencers who are living the dream. Whether attached to a picture on an exotic beach, a story of a windfall of money, or a night out on the town with a group of friends, the idea of what it means to be ‘blessed’ in our culture is often associated with the extravagant. Most people don’t see the behind the scene struggles of a life spent chasing the approval of others. This kind of life projects a false reality that is unobtainable and sure to lead to disappointment from unrealistic expectations. 

Blessings in the Bible are not consumed with accumulated treasures and status on earth. They look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises in eternity. Jesus described the blessed life in His Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth…” (Matthew 5:3-12). The blessings are not found in grieving or poverty, but in a future reward. For the Christian, the blessed life means that we are destined for glory. 

This is not to suggest that the only blessings we can hope for are waiting for us in heaven. There are abundant mercies for the believer here and now. But the promise goes beyond a feeling of peace in the present to encourage us to persevere through the hard times. It is the hope that, one day, all things will be made right. In the Kingdom of God there will be no more poverty, sorrow, sickness, sin, or oppression. Our blessed hope can bolster us through life’s trials and ground us in reality so that we aren’t tempted to chase after unrealistic expectations that are sure to disappoint. 

The opening two songs in the Book of Psalms are a guide to the blessed life and a warning of the trappings along the way. They serve as an introduction to the whole collection of Psalms: pointing out how the Word of God can order our steps, guide our emotions, and bring us joy. 

BELONGING

There is a basic need in every human soul to find a community where we belong. This is seen in Genesis when Adam realized he was alone. So God created Eve as his companion. Yet, this need to belong has been distorted by sin. The wicked prey upon this human necessity by drawing people into their own sinful lifestyles. When a group of sinners find camaraderie together, they twist what is reproachable into normative behavior, ostracizing those who would stand up for what is right. 

That is what the opening verse of the Book of Psalms warns us about. It is saying that we should not find our belonging amongst the wicked. Notice the pattern of progression: from walking in their counsel, to standing in their way of life, then sitting in their seats of power, mocking those who don’t agree with them. This is the pattern of belonging to the world today: it starts by following their influence, agreeing with their values, and criticizing those who don’t conform to their worldview. 

In contrast, the psalmist says that the blessed man avoids the ways of the world and, instead, finds his belonging in God. Not only does he do what is right, he does it joyfully. He desires to please God and he draws his satisfaction from meditating on God’s Word day and night. 

If we are going to be honest, God’s blessings are not always obvious. The pleasures of this world are far more alluring and attractive. They offer immediate gratification while downplaying any consequences. Plus, no one wants to be mocked as the odd man out when it comes to standing on the principles of God’s Word. However, we know that the pattern of sin will lead to destruction. 

Notice what it says at the end of this first Psalm, “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous…but the way of the wicked will perish” (Psalm 1:5-6). The world will not be able to stand when God passes judgement over them, they will not be invited into the fellowship of God’s people in Heaven, and they will be punished for their sins. 

Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). The world might offer a sense of belonging, but when an individual stands before the judgment seat of Christ, the companions of fools won’t be given the opportunity to bring along any character references. In order to experience the blessed life, a Christian needs to find their satisfaction in God, their instruction from God’s Word, and their fellowship in the Body of Christ. 

BEARING FRUIT

The illustration of a blessed life is demonstrated in the example of a healthy tree, “Planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:3). Israel is far from being a tropical paradise. It is an arid dessert. What little rainfall it has is caught in underground rivers. Any tree that flourishes is likely rooted near one of these streams. 

In contrast, the wicked are described as being like chaff, the outer casing of a grain of wheat. To separate the wheat from the chaff, the harvest is tossed in the air. The lighter chaff is blown away by the wind and the weightier grain falls back down on the threshing floor. There is no substance to chaff. It cannot be ground into flour or planted to grow new crops.

Jesus draws on these analogies in the Gospels. In Matthew 13 He shares the parable of the wheat and the tares (weeds). Although they grow up together, the farmer will separate the wheat from the weeds at the harvest and the weeds will be thrown into the fiery furnace.

Then, in the final days of Jesus, there is this story where He curses a fig tree because it was full of leaves, but had no fruit. Mark explains that it was not the season for figs (Mark 11:12-14). This has always puzzled me. How could Jesus curse a tree that was out of season? This is a sign of the final judgment. At that time, no one is going to be offered more time or a do-over. 

The fruit being described here is Christlikeness. It is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus said that if we are going to bear fruit, we need to abide in Him, as branches attach to the vine (John 15:1-17). 

The blessed life is marked by the fruit it produces. Those who abide in Christ bear Christ’s likeness. This is more than just the byproduct of belonging to Christ. It is its own reward. We get to experience love, joy, and peace. This allows us to be blessed, and be a blessing to others. 

BOWING THE KNEE

As we turn to the second Psalm, we get a better glimpse of the scoffing of the wicked. The nations are gathered together in order to throw off the bonds of morality laid out by God and His Word. They want to be free from God’s control. But is a tree that has been liberated from the ground truly free? No. Which is why God laughs at the world’s defiance. 

Next, God sends His Son to execute His judgment upon those who defy Him. This is a messianic Psalm and it is why the disciples thought Jesus would bring judgment on their enemies. However, they were surprised to find that He had a different plan. 

The Apostle Paul would later explain that there was no one who measured up to the standard of righteousness required by God. There was none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). All fell short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). In order for God to remain just and justify the unrighteous, He had to put forth His own Son as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Instead of Jesus wiping out all of mankind for their sins, He went to the cross and bore the wrath of God on our behalf. 

But this does not mean that the prophecy in Psalm 2 is null and void. In fact, Jesus said that He would return and on the last day the final judgement will come. Only those who “Kiss the Son” (Psalm 2:12), will be able to escape the wrath of God on that day. Then, “Every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). Those who did not bear the fruit of righteousness will be cast into the lake of fire. 

If we want to experience the blessed life, we must acknowledge that all of our blessings flow out of our belonging to Christ. The fruit and the rewards. The Psalms help us understand how we are blessed and destined for glory. They are designed to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). They teach us how to pray, how to receive God’s grace, and how to preach the gospel to ourselves. And, ultimately, they teach us where the blessings can be found: “Blessed are all who take refuge in him (the LORD)” (Psalm 2:12).