Summary

The Hebrew word sihi here means, first of all, reflections, contemplations, meditations. The author takes his time to think long and hard about God and his many works. These works are more than worthy for one to stand and think about them for a considerable time, to be amazed at them, and to react to them. Songs of praise and thankfulness naturally arise. Oh, how eagerly the psalmist wants to please the Lord in this manner, and to give him joy. He is so intensely happy with his Maker.

This kind of joy is fitting for man. It is a joy that God gives through the coming of his Son on earth. In the night that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the angels proclaimed this joy to shepherds who were afraid: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11).

This tone of joy especially echoes through the letters of the apostle Paul. This man is captured once and for all by the living Jesus (Acts 9:1–43!) and cannot remain quiet about this anymore.

Listen to his shout of jubilation in Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Therefore, it can be said, Happiness is the basic frame of mind of the believer. It is a joy in which God and Christ are central and which is worked in the hearts of God’s children by the Holy Spirit.¹