If we read the above verse with the flippant American definition of merry, we might picture a person bubbling over with laughter for no reason. We expect a merry person to be always laughing, always smiling, and not necessarily facing the realities of life.
I always like to look in the original word to get the intended definition. The word “merry” is “towb” in the Hebrew. Means nothing to you? Me either. I don’t know Hebrew. I just know how to use my online Bible program to find the Hebrew words.
But, I studied a little more on the word. It normally is translated “good.” In fact, 361 times it’s translated “good.” It’s only translated “merry” 7 times.
We understand “good” from it’s first usage, another neat rule about studying the Bible. When was the word first used?
Aww, I get it. We all understand Genesis chapter one. The Lord created something, then admired it as “good.”
A worldly merry person is a giggly person, a Biblically merry person is one whose heart has been created by God, a heart that has been changed by their faith in Him. A heart that was dark with sin until the Savior came in.
Now that we gained understanding from the first usage of the word “good,” let’s see how the Lord continues to use this word.
We can only be good through faith because He first was good.
What is the merry person feasting on?
We feast on His Word.
Jeremiah, “His Words are sweet….”
We feast on His Will.
Let’s look at Jesus’ example.
“My food is to do the will of God.”
It is a chiastic saying, because we have a good heart, a God-created heart, we have a continual feast. If we continually feast, we will keep our heart merry.
The Lord always reaches out first, then rewards us for reaching back in response.
For the first time, we women don’t have to worry about diet, we can feast all we want.
In fact, we can have a continual feast.
I love exploring and having a greater understanding of what God's Word is telling us. Your world definition of "merry" is an accurate description of what first comes to my mind! But I love the deeper look into this word and verse. What a blessing I received today!
I love exploring and having a greater understanding of what God's Word is telling us. Your world definition of "merry" is an accurate description of what first comes to my mind! But I love the deeper look into this word and verse. What a blessing I received today!
Thank you, Mindy. What a beautiful, encouraging and challenging blog. If we truly have a merry heart that is rejoicing in the Lord Jesus then our lives will be a witness for Him as people see the difference.
Thank you, Mindy. What a beautiful, encouraging and challenging blog. If we truly have a merry heart that is rejoicing in the Lord Jesus then our lives will be a witness for Him as people see the difference.
Yes, an encouraging word. Thank you. I am presently working on a poem for someone with these lines: But that doesn't mean there's not deep-seated joy, Or hope for the future the past can't destroy. The trials I've faced and the pain I've withstood Have deepened my sense of what's actually good. They've taught me some things that are hard to explain, But make me feel thankful for even the pain.
Yes, an encouraging word. Thank you. I am presently working on a poem for someone with these lines: But that doesn't mean there's not deep-seated joy, Or hope for the future the past can't destroy. The trials I've faced and the pain I've withstood Have deepened my sense of what's actually good. They've taught me some things that are hard to explain, But make me feel thankful for even the pain.
Thank you for this reminder. It was very timely today!
Thank you for this reminder. It was very timely today!