"NATIONAL HAPPINESS" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 7/29/25

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case; yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” (Palm 144:15)

This is the concluding verse of a Psalm of David, in which he describes a truly blessed nation. It is a psalm of prayer and praise. He both praises God for the special favor shown to Israel and prays that He bless them with such things as make for a “happy people.” Thus, this psalm describes a happy nation, and it also recognizes the source of that happiness.

The happy nation is described. A happy nation is, first, one that looks to God as its protector. This accounts for the success that Israel had in warfare: “Blessed be the LORD, my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” (Vs. 1) One reason that “righteousness exalteth a nation,” is that the Lord will take up the cause of the righteous. When Patrick Henry, whose “Liberty Speech” was essentially a call to arms against the British, was ask about his boldness and courage, he answered “I believe that the Almighty God, Who is Sovereign over all people and nations, is on the side of right.” Winston Churchill essentially acknowledged the same truth when he said, “America is great because America is good.” That wise man went on to say, “If America ceases to be good, she shall cease to be great.” King David went on in Verses 2-6 to note that a happy nation is one that places its trust in God more than in military might. He wrote in Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

A happy nation is one that is blessed with righteous leaders. Notice the tenth verse: “It is he that giveth salvation unto kings.” Added to this, a happy nation is one where God is exalted in praise and worship publicly. “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God:…will I sing praises unto thee.” This also includes the rejection of strange philosophies, and to practice vanity and falsehood. (VS. 8, 11)

A happy nation is one that can take pride in the wholesomeness of its youth. “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” (Vs. 12) What greater blessing could a nation have than young men and young women of this caliber? David prays for young men who are as “trees of righteousness;” who are of God’s own planting. (Isa. 61:3) These are fruit-bearing trees: “Thy children shall be as olive plants.” Such young men are a parent’s pride, and the church’s delight, and a blessing to any nation.

David knew that the future good of his nation depended not only upon worthy young men, but wholesome young women. He is looking ahead, knowing that strong homes are essential to the growth and well-being of a nation. Notice the wholesome daughter is likened to a polished corner stone. Their spiritual beauty is seen in that they are “polished.” Their feminine strength is seen in that they are as “Corner stones.” As corner stones in a building join walls together, so daughters join families together. This speaks of cohesiveness. The enemy knows that if he can destroy the nuclear family, he can destroy the foundation of a nation. Let us pray for our youth for strong young men and women such as here described. (Vs. 12)

A blessed nation is one that prospers materially from the fruit of hard work. (Vs. 13, 14a) Hard work is honorable, and ought to be encouraged in our homes, and by our government. Any program, idea, or agenda that encourages sloth and discourage ambition is an accursed thing and must be rejected for sake of our national happiness.

A happy nation is one that has the safety of law and order. “…that there be no breaking in, nor going out…” (Vs. 14b)

A happy nation is one that has domestic tranquility. “…that there be no complaining in our streets.” (Vs. 14c) Let us pray to our Lord, the true source of happiness and Who alone can bless us with all of the blessings that we have gleaned from this great Psalm, that we may once again have law and order and domestic tranquility as our nation once enjoyed.

Let us pray for America, that God might bless us to value and pursue these things that together make for a happy people, whose God is the Lord.