Pleasure In Prosperity

"Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."

Psalm 35:27

David exalted and magnified the LORD who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servants.  It occurred to me there can be a disconnect with the meaning of the passage if we limit the words "pleasure" and "prosperity" to their most common, modern-day implications.  These words generally mean one thing to people now, but it is helpful to consider their use in the Bible to better comprehend them.

When we speak of "pleasure" today, it has almost exclusively been limited to concern sensual or sexual pleasure.  While this is one way to define it, the word has much more broad scope.  In addition to appealing to the senses, pleasure means to take delight in and to be pleased with, and in relation to God Webster described it as approbation--which is to approve of, like, and to be in favour of.  A different Hebrew word is translated into "pleasures" in Psalm 16:11:  "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  The Strong's Concordance defines these pleasures as "pleasant, delightful, lovely and happiness."  It is clear therefore that "pleasure" should not confined to sensual satisfaction, and can have eternal implications.

The word "prosperity" is also a word generally viewed as present wealth and success.  Webster defines it as, "Advance or gain in any thing good or desirable; successful progress in any business or enterprise; success; attainment of the object desired."  What is largely neglected from such definitions are the spiritual aspects of prosperity, the eternal salvation and sanctification of the human soul.  The apostle John connected the two in his epistle to Gaius in 3 John 1:2:  "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."  Some might desire their spiritual prosperity would match their prosperity in business, yet John put it the other way round.  A person who soul prospers by faith in Jesus Christ is most prosperous indeed, and it is unlikely our efforts and health could possibly rise to such a level in this life.  In a biblical sense, without Christ the most prosperous people on earth cannot prosper but resemble chaff the wind drives away.

David urged believers to shout for joy and be glad, to magnify the LORD who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant David and in all His servants.  God does not show partiality, only favouring men of the tribe of Judah, shepherds, kings or psalmists, for He is gracious and generous to all who fear Him.  God not only takes pleasure in the prosperity of our souls, but that our prosperity presently would increase by faith and praise of Him.  Our portfolios may diminish and our health can fail, but we can prosper despite these things today because we look to God who alone can help and redeems us.  David concluded the song in Psalm 35:28, "And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long."  May God's people be pleased to proclaim praises of God continually, for He is righteous and takes pleasure in the eternal prosperity of His people.