Happy by Gary Rose

Today, the sun is shining, the humidity is low and the temperature is in the lower 70’s (so far). What a beautiful day! Today, it would be hard NOT TO BE HAPPY. When I saw this picture it reinforced my “happy” thought. Naturally, my mind gravitated to the “sermon on the mount” and to the beatitudes. Now, most translations, use the word “blessed”, which has at it core the meaning of “Oh, the blessed state of the one”. To me, this means HAPPY. So, I thought I would present three versions which actually use the word…

Matthew 5 (Young’s Literal Translation)

 ¹ And having seen the multitudes, he went up to the mount, and he having sat down, his disciples came to him,  ² and having opened his mouth, he was teaching them, saying:
  ³ `Happy the poor in spirit--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.  <sup>4</sup> `Happy the mourning--because they shall be comforted.  ⁵ `Happy the meek--because they shall inherit the land.  <sup>6</sup> `Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness--because they shall be filled.  ⁷ `Happy the kind--because they shall find kindness.  <sup>8</sup> `Happy the clean in heart--because they shall see God.  ⁹ `Happy the peacemakers--because they shall be called Sons of God.  <sup>10</sup> `Happy those persecuted for righteousness' sake--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.  ¹¹ `Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake--  ¹² rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward is great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5 (Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible)

 ¹ But, seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain,—and, when he had taken a seat, his disciples came unto him;  ² and, opening his mouth, he began teaching them, saying:—
  ³ 

Happy, the destitute, in spirit; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens;  ⁴ Happy, they who mourn; for, they, shall be comforted:  ⁵ Happy, the meek; for, they, shall inherit the earth:  ⁶ Happy, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for, they, shall be filled:  ⁷ Happy, the merciful; for, they, shall receive mercy:  ⁸ Happy, the pure, in heart; for, they, shall, see God:  ⁹ Happy, the peacemakers; for, they, shall be, called sons of God: ¹⁰ Happy, they who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens.  ¹¹ Happy, are ye, whensoever they may reproach you and persecute you, and say every evil thing against you, falsely, for my sake:  ¹² Rejoice and exult, because, your reward, is great in the heavens; for, so, persecuted they the prophets who were before you. 

Matthew 5 (Living Oracles New Testament by Hugo McCord)

 ¹ Jesus, seeing so great a confluence, repaired to a mountain, and having sat down, his disciples came to him.  ² Then breaking silence, he taught them, saying:
  ³ Happy the poor who repine not; for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!  ⁴ Happy they who mourn; for they shall receive consolation!  ⁵ Happy the meek; for they shall inherit the land!  ⁶ Happy they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be satisfied!  ⁷ Happy the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy!  ⁸ Happy the pure in heart; for they shall see God!  ⁹ Happy the peace-makers; for they shall be called sons of God!  ¹⁰ Happy they who suffer persecution on account of righteousness; for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!  ¹¹ Happy shall you be, when men shall revile and persecute you; and, on my account, accuse you falsely of every evil thing!  ¹² Rejoice and exult, for great is your reward in heaven; for thus the Prophets were persecuted, who were before you.

It is easy to be happy when everything around you is pleasant, but when you encounter difficulties, rely on God to be “happy”. Outwardly, you may not be as happy as the elephant, but inwardly you will be showered with God’s blessing.

May God give you the happiness which only HE can supply and may you be blessed!