Psalm 1.3
Context has a funny way of upsetting one’s theological apple cart. Such is the case with Psalm 1.3. Taken by itself, this verse might lend support to the arguments in favor of the prosperity gospel and positive confession. In fact, no verse stands alone. Each single verse is part of the expression of some context.
The whole of Psalm 1 forms the theological boundaries within which each of its constituent verses are to be understood. Further, the Book of Psalms provides the context for all of the individual psalms. And, the Hebrew Scriptures provide the context for the Book of Psalms. Thus, any meaningful word must be understood in light of the immediate context in which it is found. Also, the meaning of a term will be discovered in how that word is used in the biblical contexts.
What kind of prosperity did the psalmist have in mind when he wrote Psalm 1? Did he mean to prosper in terms of health and wealth? Further, how does one attain this prosperity? Can one positively confess the truth of verse 3 and by doing so make prosperity a reality?
To understand "to prosper," (the Hebrew word is tsalach) we might look at how the word is used in other contexts in the Old Testament. First Samuel 16.13 states that after David was anointed with oil by Samuel, the Holy Spirit "came mightily" upon him. Guess what? To "come mightily upon" is the translation of the word prosper, as in Psalm 1.3. Isaiah 54.17 declares that no weapon would "prosper" against Israel. Amos 5.6 states that the Lord will "break forth" like a fire. That’s right, in each case, the word used is the same one translated prosper in Psalm 1.
How, then, do we understand the word proper? What do "come mightily upon," "break forth," and "prosper" all have in common. Further, how do we reconcile the fact that both a sword and a man can prosper? Well, the fundamental meaning of the word translated prosper, etc., is "to rush forward, to advance." Therefore, movement and advance are suggested by this word.
A fire advances, and so do weapons of warfare. The idea of movement is involved in the coming of the Spirit upon David. So what does this mean for a believer. Look again at verse 3. The verse states, "in whatever he does, he prospers." The prosperity is realized in what a man does, not in what he possesses. Similarly, God said to Joshua, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."
What was the promise to Joshua concerning prosperity? Would he be able to confess his prosperity and make it a fact? No! He had to talk about the Law, meditate upon the Law, and do the Law. In the same way, the blessed person of Psalm 1 delighted in and meditated upon the Law. He rejected the world’s nonsense in favor of God’s knowledge. Implicit in Psalm 1 is the fact that the one who delights in and meditates upon the Law does the Law.
Interestingly, the Bible also speaks of prospering in the negative. According to Scripture, one who fails to obey God will not prosper. Numbers 14.20-45 relates the cost Israel would incur when she proved to be faithless and disobedient to God. Verse 41 clearly declares that transgression of God’s commands would prevent success (You guessed it! The same word translated prosper in Psalm 1.3.)
If Scripture is reliable and trustworthy, Old and New Testaments equally so, then the principles of the Hebrew Scriptures are as binding and definitive for believers as those of the Christian Scriptures. Thus, to prosper in our way will take place no because we confess that prosperity is so. No! Only in obeying will what we do prosper or advance.
One writer paraphrased the commands of Joshua as "memorizing, meditating, and minding" the commands of God. Only by faithful, loyal obedience does a believer experience advancement in his endeavors. Remember, Jesus declared, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14.15).
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