First of all, what exactly is a "Merry Heart"? What is a "Broken Spirit"? The Scriptures mention a "Broken Spirit" elsewhere in a good sense as in the case of Psalm 51:17. However, here it is referred to in a negative sense. What is the difference?

     The "Merry Heart" is a heart that is blithe, gleeful, joyful, and always rejoicing. It is happy, glad, and cheerful heart. The "Broken Spirit," on the other hand, is depressed in mind and circumstances, troubled, downcast, sorrowful, unhappy, unpleasant, disagreeable, distressed, and miserable.

In Psalm 51 David mentioned the "broken spirit" as something that is pleasing in the sight of God:

Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise."

     Here David was referring to himself, coming before God in godly sorrow and misery for his Sins of adultery and murder. (Psalm 51:12) After he repented of his Sins and God washed away their awful stain, then God restored to him the joy of his salvation. There was no further need for a downcast spirit.

     In contrast, the Book of Proverbs is referring to a regularity, an attitude, or a disposition of a person's personality when speaking of a "Broken Spirit."

     Proverbs 15:15 tells us - "...he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast." He has ongoing, continuous, perpetual and constant blessings coming his way. (Or at least this is how he perceives things.) This man feels as though he is seated at a huge banquet table which is spread before him.

     Before him lies everything that his heart desires. He is so grateful for every blessing - whether large or small. He counts his blessings, naming them one by one. Constantly, he is tasting of the Lord's goodness. He is so satisfied with what he has to enjoy. Each blessing adds growth to his life. To some, he may not have that much. But to this man, he is rich and is "always feasting".

     Proverbs 15:13 tells us that "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance..." Having a "Merry Heart" will make a person cheerful, happy, joyful, and glad. There is not a more definite place for this heart condition to express itself than on the "countenance" or face of the individual. A smile, along with sparkling eyes and a radiance of the face, will reveal immediately that this particular person has a "Merry Heart."

     Proverbs 17:22 tells us that "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine..." "This Is Incredible!" The Scriptures are actually telling us here that having a "merry heart" does good for us, just as medicine does to the body.

     What does medicine do? It is commonly used by God to bring healing and wholeness. It fights the sickness, helping to get rid of it. Therefore, we can say that a "Merry Heart" works a good healing to a person's soul and even to the body. It can make a person well and help to keep him well. A "Merry Heart" will fight against the sicknesses of the soul such as depression, oppression, fretfulness, anxiety, and stress - getting rid of them completely.

     The "Merry Heart" is a wonderful gift from God. Would to God that we all would have it at all times. We would perceive "life in Jesus" as the "continual feast" that it is supposed to be! We would enjoy better physical and mental health. What a testimony it would be to everyone around us to see us going through trials and hard times, yet always smiling because we have a "Merry Heart."

     Proverbs 15:15 says - "all the days of the afflicted are evil..." Each and every day for the depressed, the troubled, the downcast, and the anxious one is miserable. It is bad. There is no good to be found. There is no pleasure, no happiness, and no joy. At least, this is how he feels.

Proverbs 15:13 says - "...but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

     2 Corinthians 7:10 mentions "godly sorrow" which is the offspring of "true repentance" and leads to "life". This particular "sorrow," on the other hand, works death. It is an unhealthy and very hurtful melancholy. It is a dejection, despondency, gloom, and unhappiness that takes hold of the mind and the emotions. It breaks or wounds the spirit, thus rendering the individual unfit for the service of God.

     Lastly, Proverbs 17:22 tells us - "...but a broken spirit drieth the bones." This is the same "Broken Spirit" that is mentioned in Proverbs 15:13. Through an injurious "sorrow of heart," the soul is affected as well as the body. Here we see that this "Broken Spirit" can bring sickness and a downcast spirt.

At this point we need to ask ourselves some questions: