A Concluding Chorus Happiness provides the central framework theme for the book of Psalms culminating in a chorus of praise. Psalm 112:1 begins: Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His com - mandments. The final instance of Ashrei (happi- ness) appears in Psalm 146, the first of the five concluding “Hallelujah” psalms. Since each of these final five psalms begins and ends with “Hallelujah”—the very last word in the book—this final section begins with a statement of happiness and concludes with praises to the real source of all our happiness. Psalm 146:1 records: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Lastly, the word “happiness” intro- duces the thankful chorus of the five “Hallelujah Psalms,” capping off the book which began with the same concept. Make it a personal priori- ty to spend more time reading and reviewing the book of Psalms—a book recorded to help God’s people learn to be happy. Happiness is a choice we must ac- tively pursue. It results by stepping out in faith and expressing gratitude for God’s direction, creation, and deliverance from sin and oppres- sion. Christians must continually express this gratitude towards God and their fellow brethren, remem- bering to proclaim, “Blessed and happy is the man.”
Happiness is a choice we must actively pursue While the Greek title, Psalmos , means “songs,” the Hebrew ti- tle, Tehillim , meaning “praises,” is more appropriate. Tehillim is relat- ed to the phrase “Hallelujah,” which combines Hallelu (praise) and Yah (a name for God). Often translated as “praise the Lord”, this powerful Hebrew phrase only occurs in the Psalms. ic prophecy. One powerful example is found in Psalm 16:10 describing Christ’s death and resurrection after 72 hours in the tomb: For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. The book of Psalms is much more than a church hymnal. It is a source of God’s directions for His people, a book with a powerful message and purpose. Its 150 psalms are grouped into five distinct books, having a clear introduction, body, and con- clusion. Since it is composed of songs, it can be compared to a major musical or symphonic choral piece, and the theme of this entire compo- sition is happiness. The theme of “Happiness” boldly begins the book in Psalm 1:1. The word Ashrei (happiness) also con- cludes each of the five individual books within the Psalms, playing a key role in the book’s overall struc- ture and organization.
Psalm 1 and its companion, Psalm 2, together serve as the introduc- tion, summarizing the different as - pects of happiness and allowing the theme to unfold. The theme begins with the definition of the happy man. Though many translations use “blessed,” a clearer understanding is revealed in the opening verse: Psalm 1:1 states: Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; Psalm 1 continues, outlining the need to meditate on God’s law, the prosperity of the righteous, and the inevitable end of the wicked. Psalm 2 adds an international, prophetic, and Messianic perspective, advo- cating praise and concluding with the promise of happiness for those who trust in God. The end of verse 12 in states: ... Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. These two short chapters set the tone for the rest of the book.
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