Hedonism is the belief that pleasure ought to be the goal of one’s life. Spiritual hedonism is the belief that one’s life ought to be one continuous joy ride in communion with God. Neither belief is taught in God’s word.
When David wrote Psalm 21, he was on the mountaintop experience of his coronation (v. 3). His years of fleeing from his neurotic father-in-law, King Saul, were finally over. The days of being but a step away from death (1 Samuel 20:3) were gone. His profuse praise of Jehovah climaxes in “Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power” (Psalm 21:13).
What a contrast to how Psalm 22 begins—”My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me and from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season and am not silent” (vv. 1-2).
Life has its ups and downs. Every mountain has a valley on each side of it. Everyone’s life—both the wise and the foolish—has rains that descend, floods that come, and winds that blow and beat on it (Matthew 7:24-27). Regardless of how bright the sun may shine or how fierce the storm may be today, Jehovah is faithful.
Spiritual hedonism unbiblical.
More importantly, it is unnecessary.
