Happy or Blessed - which do you prefer?

Ronald Quick

I was reading today in the NRSV and Psalm 1:1 begins with "Happy".  I really like the NRSV, but something about using "happy" instead of "blessed" sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard.  I am old fashion and traditional, but it just seems like "blessed" gives a fuller meaning to the text than "happy."

I just wondered what others prefered?

Thanks.

John Nerdue

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, and standeth not in the way of sinners, and sitteth not in the seat of scorners;

DARBY

 

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers:

ASV

 

1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

AMP

 

1 God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God.

CEV

 

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

ESV

 

1 Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.

GW

 

1 Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.

GNT

 

1 How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers!

HCSB

 

1 BLESSED is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence:

D-R

 

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

KJV

 

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God.

The Living Bible

 

1 How well God must like you— you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

The Message

 

1 How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers!

NET

 

1 Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked, Nor go the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers.

NABWRNT

 

1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

NASB95

 

1 Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go, who don’t do what evil people do.

NCV

 

1 Blessed is the one who obeys the law of the Lord. He doesn’t follow the advice of evil people. He doesn’t make a habit of doing what sinners do. He doesn’t join those who make fun of the Lord and his law.

NIrV

 

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

NIV

 

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

NIV84

 

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

NKJV

 

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

NLT

 

1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;

NRSV

 

1 PSALM 1 THE PSALMS: BOOK 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

RSVCE

 

1 BLESSED is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men.

The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament

 

1 Blessed are those who do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

TNIV

 

1 O the happiness of that one, who Hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked. And in the way of sinners hath not stood, And in the seat of scorners hath not sat;

YLT