Woven Strands of Happiness
Reflective Reading: Psalms 1-2
Have you ever noticed Psalms 1 and 2 begin and end with blessed? The first verse of Psalm 1 reads,
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.
The last verse of Psalm 2 reads,
Blessed are all they who put their trust in Him.
To capture the significance of this literary frame, we must first understand the meaning of the word blessed. In Hebrew, the word blessed in Psalms 1 and 2 is not the typical word ברך (baw-rak’) that we normally find throughout the Scriptures. The word used here in Psalms 1 and 2 is אשר (eh’-sher), meaning ‘to be happy.’ It also carries the idea of ‘twisted,’ ‘bound,’ ‘straightened,’ or ‘to hold together.’ The etymology of this word is best described as the pressing of two ends together into a braid. Are you seeing the connection to the idea of happiness? Of course not! So, what does the pressing together of two ends have to do with happiness?
The root word for אשר is שר, pronounced “shar.” These Hebrew letters represent teeth and a head. The teeth represent the ‘pressing together.’ The head represents ‘the beginning’ of something or ‘the top.’ Together they meaning ‘to press from the top.’ Two strands of twine or flax would be woven together or pressed together from the top to the bottom, forming a rope. Being blessed or happy is like twisting two strands together. As a result of this twisting, a strong reliable rope is made. This word also carries the idea of an umbilical cord—a twisted cord that provides nourishment and strength.
As the word evolved into אשר, the א added to שר represented a strong bull (notice the horns of the bull at the top edges of the letter א. Altogether (head/top, teeth/pressed together, bull/strength), the word imagery is that of a strong rope that is reliable. Reliable in the sense that the rope can be used when straightened, as a measuring line. The idea of “straight” represents the word righteousness in the Bible.
So there we have it! A blessed or happy person, אשר (eh’-sher), is one who lives a “straight,” strong, and reliable life. Their woven strength is attractive and trustworthy; they possess a confidence that inspires others.
Marriages, for example, are blessed, or happy, when spouses live straight (morally upright) and reliable lives—they can be trusted. Singles are blessed when they live within the straight boundaries of “pressed in” purity. When we add more woven strands of God’s righteousness to our lives, we are what the Bible calls blessed—truly happy!
Let’s bring this back full circle. In Psalm 1, the dominant theme is God’s law or God’s Word—meditate upon the Word day and night, and everything you do will prosper. In Psalm 2 the dominant theme is the Son of God—mentioning Jesus three different times. Each time highlights Jesus in a unique way—as God’s Anointed, God’s Son, and as King. What does this all mean? Those who add layers or twisted strands of the Word of God and the Son of God to their lives, will be the happiest of all the people on the earth.
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
Recommended Reading
Little Threads (Ages 6+)
Hungering and Thirsting book/audio drama (Ages 9+)
The Golden Thread (Ages 9+)
