Man's Search for Happiness
A Sermon on Man's Search for Happiness from Psalm 1:1-2
Originally preached Jan. 6, 1963
Scripture
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and …
Sermon Description
Man’s search for happiness may seem like an impossible quest amidst this often tragic life. His pursuit only leaves him hopeless and in despair but Scripture has the answers. In this sermon on Psalm 1:1–2 titled “Man’s Search for Happiness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones leads through the first two verses in Psalm 1, and explains how God reveals His prescription for true peace and lasting joy. Far beyond the temporal emotion of happiness, there is a lasting joy that characterizes the life of one who follows God's prescribed plan. By contrasting the two alternatives and discussing the theory and the practice (both the negative and the positive), one discovers the biblical view—that humanity always seeks happiness in the wrong place, and that there is no true happiness apart from God.
Sermon Breakdown
- Happiness is possible according to the Bible. This is surprising given the state of the world.
- Many despair of finding happiness or become cynical. The Bible offers an answer.
- Happiness does not depend on circumstances according to the Bible.
- Happiness should not be sought as an end in itself. It is a byproduct of seeking God and righteousness.
- Happiness depends on our relationship to God and what we are, not what happens to us.
- The Bible starts with negatives to be realistic, show the evil in the world, diagnose the problem, show God's way is different, and require repentance.
- We must not walk in the counsel of the ungodly who trust in themselves, not God.
- We must not stand in the way of sinners who live for fleshly indulgence.
- We must not sit in the seat of scoffers who scorn all that is good and holy.
- There is a progression from walking to standing to sitting, showing sin's increasing grip and paralysis.
- The happy man delights in God's law and meditates on it day and night.
- The psalmist exclaims "Oh, the blessedness!" of forgiveness, life in Christ, peace, joy, abundance.
- We cannot make ourselves enjoy God's law or become righteous by willpower. We need new life in Christ.
- We must repent, believe the gospel, and receive new life from Christ to become happy in God.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Psalm 1:1-2
What is the main theme of Psalm 1 according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Psalm 1 introduces the basic teaching and philosophy of the entire Bible. He explains that it presents the essential teaching of the Bible with respect to man and his life in this world of time. The psalm distills the core biblical message about man's relationship to God and what God has done for man's salvation. It addresses the fundamental human quest for happiness and provides God's prescription for achieving true blessedness.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the two paths to happiness presented in Psalm 1?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Psalm 1 presents two distinct paths: the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly. The Bible simplifies life's complexity by presenting only two alternatives. The way of the righteous involves delighting in God's law and meditating on it day and night. The way of the ungodly involves walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scornful. The psalm illustrates these two men, their choices, and the different outcomes of their lives.
Why does the Bible begin with negatives according to Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives six reasons why the Bible begins with negatives: 1. The Bible is realistic and starts with the world as it is 2. It first teaches that life as it is in this world is evil 3. Like a good physician, it begins with diagnosis before offering treatment 4. The first step to salvation is recognition of evil and repentance 5. It emphasizes that God's way is entirely different from worldly ways 6. It shows that God's path is revolutionary and comes from another world
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the relationship between happiness and circumstances?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically teaches that happiness does not depend on circumstances, events, or happenings. This is contrary to the common belief that our happiness depends on external factors. Instead, he teaches that true happiness depends on two things only: our relationship to God and His righteousness, and what we are internally, not what happens to us externally. He quotes "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves" to emphasize that happiness depends on who we are, not our circumstances.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the progression in Psalm 1:1 (walking, standing, sitting)?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones sees a meaningful progression in the sequence of "walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." He explains this in two ways: 1. It shows the increasing grip that sin has on a person - first walking (still mobile), then standing (less mobile), and finally sitting (immobile) 2. It illustrates the increasing paralysis produced by sin - how evil practices cause a person to degenerate, becoming increasingly inactive and ineffective, until they are just "sitting in the corner" scoffing at everything
What is the true source of happiness according to this sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the true source of happiness is delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night. He emphasizes that happiness is not found by directly pursuing it, but rather as a byproduct of seeking God and His righteousness. He quotes Jesus: "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." The source of happiness is not found in worldly pleasures or following human wisdom, but in knowing God, experiencing forgiveness of sins, and receiving the abundant life that Christ provides.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast biblical wisdom with worldly wisdom?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts biblical wisdom with worldly wisdom by showing that the world's wisdom is constantly changing, uncertain, and produces restlessness. He notes that scientific theories considered true in one generation are laughed at in the next. In contrast, God's wisdom is unchanging, certain, and produces peace. The world's wisdom leads to cynicism and despair, viewing life as "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Biblical wisdom offers hope, purpose, and true happiness through relationship with God.
What does it mean to "delight in the law of the Lord" according to this sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, delighting in the law of the Lord means more than merely taking an intellectual interest in the Bible or reading it out of fear or for utilitarian purposes. It means finding genuine pleasure and joy in God's Word. The person who delights in God's law sees it as wonderful, superior to all worldly wisdom, and the source of true happiness. This delight leads to meditation on God's Word "day and night" - a continual, enjoyable contemplation of divine truth that transforms the inner person and produces happiness regardless of circumstances.
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.