"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers."
Whenever you hear the word "beatitudes" you probably automatically think of the Sermon on the Mount. But there are a whole lot more beatitudes in the Bible besides the eight found in Matthew 5. The Old Testament is loaded with them, especially the Psalms and Proverbs. I went through my concordance and counted 23 in Psalms and 8 in Proverbs alone.
According to the Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible, the Greek word translated "blessed" means "spiritual well-being and prosperity," the deep joy of the soul. Pronouncing a blessing is the "act of declaring, or wishing, God's favor and goodness upon others." Now, substitute those phrases in any beatitude, replacing the word "blessed" and read it out loud. "Spiritual well-being and prospserity is given the man who . . . . . " Kinda opens the eyes, doesn't it. It's sad that our English language is so very limited in translations; we miss the deep, complete meaning of so many things. Being "amplified" isn't so bad after all.
Psalm 2:12: ". . . . Blessed are (the deep joy of the soul fills) all who take refuge in Him."
Turn to Psalm 32:1-2, and substitute the translations for the the words "blessed". How intimate the song becomes, how personal. Now look at 33:12: "Blessed is the NATION . . . " Oh my, that takes my breath away. Oh America, if only you found your joy and contentment in the Lord God Almighty. "Spiritual well-being and prosperity is given to the Nation whose God is the Lord, . . . "
When we sing "God bless America", we are actually singing God, may Your favor and goodness fall on this land and it's people. I certainly see things differently.
Some of the other psalms and proverbs are: Ps. 40:4; 84:4-5; 89:15; 106:3; 128:1; Proverbs 3:13; 8:32,34; 20:7; 29:18. I will leave you and your concordance to search out the others. Or keep a notebook handy when you are reading the Word, and every time you come across a beatitude, write it down. You'll be amazed ay what you find.
Don't take words such as "blessed" at face value in the Bible. Dig out their true meaning and then insert it into the scripture to savor the fullness, the richness, the joy of what the Lord is saying. I can guarntee your heart will take wings and soar in the heavenlies. Mine does. You cannont remain earth-bound when you are immersed in the Lord. Who would want to.
Be filled with God's favor and goodness, my dear friend, as you seek Him and find Him in the Word. Oh the joy, the sweet, sweet, deep joy of the soul. Savor it.
Lord Jesus, I praise your name forever for you have opened the eyes of the blind and the eatrs of the deaf to the wonders of your great love. Thank you, Jesus, for the blessings that are poured out on us day after day. Help us to walk in your grace, bringing honor to your name and blessings to all around us. Amen.
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