For the Jews there was light and gladnessand joyand honor. Esther 8:16 NASB Gladness/joy – The usual Hebrew word for “joy” is śimḥâ. It comes from the root śāmaḥ, “to rejoice.” You would have expected it to be the Hebrew translated as “joy” in this verse. But it isn’t. In this verse, śimḥâ is translated “gladness,” because there is…
Make glad the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 86:4 NASB Make glad – How do you interpret this request? If you’re encumbered by the typical Western paradigm, you might think the psalmist is asking God to gladden his inner, spiritual self. If you view man…
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NASB Joy – A familiar word. An unfamiliar experience. That’s charas, from the Greek chairo, “to rejoice,” the root…
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NASB Forgiving – How humorous is it to sit around a room and belittle another person? How much laughter do we derive from pointing out someone else’s flaws or embarrassing moments? Why do we enjoy watching…
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Titus 1:4 NASB Grace and peace – Paul often uses these words, “grace” and “peace,” in personal letters. We have a tendency to skip right over them, imagining that we know what they mean to his audience simply because they…
A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out. Proverbs 20:5 NASB Plan – The Jewish Learning Institute workbook, How Happiness Thinks, is a treasure of rabbinic and modern mental health collaboration. It’s designed to take the reader through exercises that uncover roadblocks to…
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Psalm 100:2 NASB Gladness – Is David making a suggestion or issuing a royal decree? The verb is an imperative, so we may assume that David expects his subjects (and all his readers?) to comply. But how? How is it possible to command a…
I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Psalm 145:1-2 NASB Every day – How does the Twelve Step phrase go? “It works if you work it.” Defeating the yetzer ha’ra…
You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11 NASB Joy – We are often taught that joy cannot be manufactured, that it is a passionate, subjective experience that overcomes us. At the same time, we learn…
